JOKARUS - Design of a compact optical iodine frequency reference for a sounding rocket mission

摘要

We present the design of a compact absolute optical frequency reference forspace applications based on hyperfine transitions in molecular iodine with atargeted fractional frequency instability of better than $3\cdot 10^{-14}$. Itis based on a micro-integrated extended cavity diode laser with integratedoptical amplifier, fiber pigtailed second harmonic generation wave-guidemodules, and a quasi-monolithic spectroscopy setup with operating electronics.The instrument described here is scheduled for launch end of 2017 aboard theTEXUS 54 sounding rocket as an important qualification step towards spaceapplication of iodine frequency references and related technologies. Thepayload will operate autonomously and its optical frequency will be compared toan optical frequency comb during its space flight.