Products: Complete systems, Vacuum housings, Services
Complete systems
Integrated Stabilized Laser Systems : SLS-INT-1550-100-3
This turnkey 3Hz linewidth stabilized laser offers excellent stability in a convenient rackmount box. We've integrated a high-finesse Fabry-Perot cavity, a temperature-controlled vacuum housing, vacuum pump, optics, input laser, and control electronics into a 3U high rackmount box, while maintaining the frequency stability for which our products are known. With a frequency noise linear spectral density of 1Hz/√Hz, this system is suitable for applications such as microwave generation and laser radar. Once the laser has been tuned to be coincident with the cavity frequency, a single-switch lock function engages the loop filter to stabilize the laser. An easy-to-read front panel displays laser current and temperature, cavity temperature, reflected power from the cavity, and loop filter & vacuum parameters, with analog outputs for transmitted cavity power, error signal, and ramp sync signal.
Everything about this integrated frequency stabilized laser has been designed to deliver the best performance in the most convenient way, from the low power consumption and battery backup to the onboard display. We put all of our experience into each system so that you can spend your time on your experiments, not your equipment. Our systems give you the frequency you need – guaranteed.
- Full specification
- Auto-lock is in development to eliminate manual tuning of the laser to the cavity frequency. Should the unit be bumped or jarred, automatic re-lock will engage to re-stabilize the laser.
- The system will arrive aligned and under vacuum. The ion pump is equipped with battery backup to minimize the need for additional pumps after shipping or movement of the system.
- A 1Hz linewidth system is available upon request in a 5U high rackmount box.
Breadboard Stabilized Laser Systems
Our turnkey laser systems are the first of their kind in the field. They allow you to get a high performance frequency stabilized laser up and running in your lab quickly. With a quality high stability laser at its core, each system boasts a fully characterized ATFilms cavity mounted in a perfectly matched vacuum housing that is thermally controlled and monitored. Vibration isolation ensures rock-solid frequency stability. A fiber pigtail output and monitor panel software for laser control make the system easy to integrate and use. Our standard systems offer a stabilized laser linewidth of 3 Hz or better, with less than 100 kHz of daily drift at room temperature. We can also custom design a system to your exact needs, at wavelengths ranging from the visible through near IR.
Monitor outputs:
PDH Error signal, Reflected power from the cavity, Transmitted power from the cavity with camera image, Vacuum pressure, Vacuum housing temperature
Services
Measurement Services
Measurement of the temperature at which a ULE cavity has a thermal expansion coefficient of zero (the "zero crossing temperature") can be very time-consuming. For the best performance in a low-drift system, it is best to operate as close to the zero expansion point as possible. Let us measure the cavity for you, giving you an excellent starting point for optimizing temperature control. Since the thermal expansion gradient of near the zero crossing temperature is ~2 ppb/K, you may even choose to operate at our measured zero crossing temperature.
Customized housings and systems
We design custom cavities and housings, and work with ATFilms (who build the cavities) to deliver you a complete system of cavity, mounting, temperature control, optical coupling and possibly vacuum pump. We often do customizations of standard housings. For those looking for a complete solution, we can work backwards from your needed specifications to develop a fully-customized frequency stabilized laser system, whether for lab or field use. We enjoy these challenges, as they allow us to stretch beyond our standard laser systems.
Complete frequency stabilized laser system, including cavity, vacuum housing, optics, laser, vibration isolated breadboard, and all electronics.
Triangular Fabry-Perot cavities designed and modeled by SLS and made by Advanced Thin Films.
Vacuum housings
Mounting and temperature control are key to the performance of a high-finesse Fabry-Perot cavity.
We offer a line of vacuum housings designed to optimally mount and control products from Advanced Thin Films, the industry leader in high-finesse cavities. The outer layer of the vacuum housing is a thermally insulated, radiation-shielded shell that mounts to an optical table using standard clamps. The inner layer of the vacuum housing is conductive, with Peltier coolers and/or heaters for mK-level temperature control and thermistors for sensing. The internal mounting structure is designed to keep vibration sensitivity to a minimum. All of our vacuum cans offer exceptional temperature control for low frequency drift over a wide range of temperatures.
Vacuum Housing 6010/6020
Designed for use with the ATFilms 6010-(1 thru 3) or ATFilms 6020-(1 thru 3) cavity. It offers moderate thermal insulation leakage over an intermediate temperature range.
This housing is a well-matched cradle for either the ATFilms 6010 cylindrical cavity or ATFilms 6020 notched cavity, offering temperature control of <5 mK/°C for low frequency drift over a 15-40°C range. Thermally insulated and radiation-shielded, the aluminum housing mounts to an optical table using standard clamping forks. Two Peltier coolers or heaters provide temperature control, and thermistors are used for sensing. The mounting structure within is optimized for rigidity and low thermal expansion, makes use of common-mode techniques to reduce deformation, and provides some degree of vibration isolation. We start with our field-proven design and then build each vacuum housing to order, taking into account your specific application and needs.
While a cylindrical cavity is the simplest design, notches decrease vibration sensitivity via common mode rejection of acceleration. Notched cavities are recommended for linewidths below 100Hz, and the mounts have Viton supports at the points calculated to minimize the acceleration sensitivity. For the best performance from a standard cavity spacer, we recommend a notched spacer with Fused Silica mirrors and ULE backing rings.
A notched Fabry-Perot cavity (Advanced Thin Films 6020-4), on a Zerodur mounting block, being guided into place in a thermally insulated vacuum housing.
Vacuum Housing 6030
This housing is a well-matched cradle for the ATFilms 6030 midplane cavity, offering temperature control of <5 mK/°C for low frequency drift over a 17-30°C range. Thermally insulated and radiation-shielded, the aluminum housing mounts to an optical table using standard clamping forks. A Peltier cooler or heater provides temperature control, and thermistors are used for sensing. The mounting structure is optimized for rigidity and low thermal expansion, makes use of common-mode techniques to reduce deformation, and provides some degree of vibration isolation. We start with our fieldproven design and then build each vacuum housing to order, taking into account your specific application and needs.
Frequency drift depends on how close to the zero-crossing temperature the cavity is operated. To achieve an expansion coefficient of less than 2 ppb, one would typically want to work within 1 degree of the zero-crossing temperature.
A midplane Fabry-Perot cavity (ATFilms 6030) on a mounting plate.
Vacuum Housing 6300
This housing is a well-matched cradle for the ATFilms 6300 spherical cavity, offering temperature control of <5 mK/°C for low frequency drift over a -5 through 50°C range. Thermally insulated and radiation-shielded, the stainless steel housing mounts to an optical table using standard adjustable-height base clamps. A Peltier cooler provides temperature control, and thermistors are used for sensing. The mounting structure within is optimized for rigidity and low thermal expansion, makes use of common-mode techniques to reduce deformation, and provides some degree of vibration isolation. We start with our field-proven design and then build each vacuum housing to order, taking into account your specific application and needs.
A spherical cavity offers several advantages. Clamped into the vacuum housing using a yoke, its geometry offers low vibration sensitivity, which may improve even further as mounting techniques improve. Temperature control can sometimes be better for smaller vacuum housings, and our method of implementation within the housing gives this unit the best thermal insulation leakage and widest operating range of all our vacuum housings. The cavity is firmly held, and can be moved while mounted.
The vacuum housing for an Advanced Thin Films spherical cavity (ATFilms 6300). The gold plated shield (behind the anti-reflection coated viewport) allows milliKelvin levels of temperature control.