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arXiv · 1108.0960

Understanding Pound-Drever-Hall locking using voltage controlled radio-frequency oscillators: An undergraduate experiment

C. E. Liekhus-Schmaltz·J. D. D. Martin
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Abstract

We have developed a senior undergraduate experiment that illustrates frequency stabilization techniques using radio-frequency electronics. The primary objective is to frequency stabilize a voltage controlled oscillator to a cavity resonance at 800 MHz using the Pound-Drever-Hall method. This technique is commonly applied to stabilize lasers at optical frequencies. By using only radio-frequency equipment it is possible to systematically study aspects of the technique more thoroughly, inexpensively, and free from eye hazards. Students also learn about modular radio-frequency electronics and basic feedback control loops. By varying the temperature of the resonator, students can determine the thermal expansion coefficients of copper, aluminum, and super invar.

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BibTeXRIS

C. E. Liekhus-Schmaltz, J. D. D. Martin. 2011-08-03. Understanding Pound-Drever-Hall locking using voltage controlled radio-frequency oscillators: An undergraduate experiment. https://doi.org/10.1119/1.3671074

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