Laser frequency stabilization with the use of homodyne quadrature interferometers

Abstract

Abstract Laser frequency stabilization is a crucial technique for precision metrology.
Amongst the techniques currently in use for this purpose, we propose the use of compact interferometric sensors, which are already under investigation for integration into gravitational-wave observatories. We demonstrate laser frequency control using a compact, interferometric sensor, specially modified for sensitivity to laser frequency noise. This setup achieves a balance between compact size, ease of use, and affordability. We stabilize the laser frequency noise, of a low-cost solid-state laser, to 4.5 kHz/√Hz at 1 Hz. The requirement for additional technology, and expense, is negated when identical, compact, interferometric sensors are deployed. This enables wider applications of compact, interferometric sensors by mitigating a fundamental noise source, inherent to their design.