Distributed Feedback Lasers for Quantum Cooling Applications

• Published in: 2020 22nd International Conference on Transparent Optical Networks (ICTON) pp. 1 - 4
• Main Authors: Watson, Scott, Gwyn, Steffan, Di Gaetano, Eugenio, McBrearty, Euan, Slight, Thomas J., Knapp, Martin, Stanczyk, Szymon, Grzanka, Szymon, Yadav, Amit, Docherty, Kevin E., Rafailov, Edik, Perlin, Piotr, Najda, Steve, Leszczynski, Mike, Haji, Mohsin, Sorel, Marc, Paul, Douglas J., Kelly, Anthony E.
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: IEEE 01-07-2020
• Subjects: Distributed feedback devices; Laser feedback; Laser modes; Laser transitions; Measurement by laser beam; Power lasers; Semiconductor lasers
• ISSN: 2161-2064
• DOI: 10.1109/ICTON51198.2020.9203200

There is an ever-growing need for compact sources which can be used for the cooling process in high accuracy atomic clocks. Current systems make use of large, expensive lasers which are power-hungry and often require frequency doubling in order to hit the required wavelengths. Distributed feedback (DFB) lasers have been fabricated at a number of key wavelengths which would allow chip scale atomic devices with very high accuracy to become a reality. Two key atomic transitions analysed here are 88 Sr + and 87 Rb which require cooling at 422 nm and 780.24 nm, respectively. The vital parameter of the DFB lasers for this application is the linewidth, as very narrow linewidths are required in order for the atomic cooling process to occur. The lasers realised here produce the required power levels, with high side-mode suppression ratios and show good single mode tuning which is important for hitting precise wavelengths. This work will present the latest techniques and results using the DFB lasers at both wavelengths.