Oscillation frequency stabilization of a diode laser for the laser interferometer in a satellite-to-satellite tracking system

摘要

Currently in the initial stages of development, the endeavor aims to use satellite-to-satellite tracking laser interferometer-based optical technique, to document fluctuations in earth's gravitational field indicating other critical changes in the environment. This system must be able to measure infinitesimal changes in the relative velocity of the two satellites, using a laser light source, which oscillates at frequency stability better than 10~(-13) in the square root of the Allan variance. The constraints placed upon the system will ultimately require that the interferometer's light-source be small, lightweight, extremely efficient, durable, and possess high frequency-stability. Present-day technology of a laser diode possesses all of these characteristics, except the last and most critical one; frequency stability. So, our ongoing efforts are all focused on the search for a method of stabilizing the oscillation frequency of the satellite-to-satellite laser-diode light source. We used a Rubidium absorption line as a frequency reference of the frequency stabilization system and the "double optical feedback" method to narrow the laser diode's oscillation linewidth, in order to improve its frequency stability. We have measured the frequency, to determine its degree of stability, by comparing the "femtosecond optical comb generator"- and laser diode-frequencies.