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# A versatile digital GHz phase lock for external cavity diode lasers

• ##### A. I. Lvovsky
Measurement Science and Technology (Impact Factor: 1.44). 05/2009; 20(5):55302. DOI: 10.1088/0957-0233/20/5/055302
Source: arXiv

ABSTRACT We present a versatile, inexpensive and simple optical phase lock for applications in atomic physics experiments. Thanks to all-digital phase detection and implementation of beat frequency pre-scaling, the apparatus requires no microwave-range reference input and permits phase locking at frequency differences ranging from sub-MHz to 7 GHz (and with minor extension to 12 GHz). The locking range thus covers ground-state hyperfine splittings of all alkali metals, which makes this system a universal tool for many experiments on coherent interaction between light and atoms.

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