Title page for ETD etd-08242006-115533


Type of Document Master's Thesis
Author Lally, Evan Michael
Author's Email Address evlally@vt.edu
URN etd-08242006-115533
Title A Narrow-Linewidth Laser at 1550 nm Using the Pound-Drever-Hall Stabilization Technique
Degree Master of Science
Department Electrical and Computer Engineering
Advisory Committee
Advisor Name Title
Anbo Wang Committee Chair
Ahmad Safaai-Jazi Committee Member
Gary S. Brown Committee Member
Randy Heflin Committee Member
Keywords
  • Linewidth
  • Pound-Drever-Hall
  • Fabry-Perot
  • Laser
  • Infrared
  • Fiber
  • Frequency Noise
  • Phase Lock
  • Stabilization
Date of Defense 2006-08-11
Availability unrestricted
Abstract
Linewidth is a measure of the frequency stability of any kind of oscillator, and it is a defining characteristic of coherent lasers. Narrow linewidth laser technology, particularly in the field of fiber-based infrared lasers, has progressed to the point where highly stable sources are commercially available with linewidths on the order of 1-100 kHz. In order to achieve a higher level of stability, the laser must be augmented by an external frequency stabilization system.

This paper presents the design and operation of a frequency locking system for infrared fiber lasers. Using the Pound-Drever-Hall technique, the system significantly reduces the linewidth of an input laser with an un-stabilized linewidth of 2 kHz. It uses a high-finesse Fabry-Perot cavity, which is mechanically and thermally isolated, as a frequency reference to measure the time-varying frequency of the input laser. An electronic feedback loop works to correct the frequency error and maintain constant optical power. Testing has proven the Pound-Drever-Hall system to be highly stable and capable of operating continuously for several seconds at a time.

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