Carrier frequency modulation of an acousto-optic modulator for laser stabilization.

Laser diode cavity ring-down spectroscopy using acousto-optic modulator stabilization

A frequency stabilization technique for diode lasers based on frequency-shifted beams from an acousto-optic modulator.

We present a simple method for diode laser frequency stabilization that makes use of a Doppler-broadened vapor cell absorption signals of two frequency-shifted laser beams. Using second-order-diffracted, double-passed beams from an acousto-optic modulator, we achieve a frequency separation roughly equal to the Doppler half width. The differential transmission signals of the two beams provide an...

Frequency-modulated continuous-wave lidar using I/Q modulator for simplified heterodyne detection.

A frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) lidar is demonstrated with heterodyne detection. The lidar transmitter utilizes an electro-optic I/Q modulator for the first time to generate carrier-suppressed and frequency-shifted FM modulation. This eliminates the need for an acousto-optic frequency shifter commonly used in heterodyne lidar transmitters. It also allows the use of a much wider mod...

Frequency stabilization of a continuous-wave Ti:sapphire laser.

Measurements of the spectral density of frequency fluctuations are reported for an actively stabilized cw Ti:sapphire laser. For a servo loop incorporating an intracavity translatable mirror and an external-cavity acousto-optic modulator, a linewidth of 1.0 kHz rms is obtained for the fluctuations of the laser frequency as recorded within the servo loop. The modulation index associated with the...

Different Plastic Materials Based Acousto-optic Modulators (AOMs) Design Considerations for Fast Switching Applications

An acousto-optic modulator (AOM) allows to diffract a laser beam going through a crystal from the incidence angle (order 0) to another angle (order 1). The diffracted beam intensity depends on the radio frequency (RF) power applied to the device while the output angle depends on the material but is also proportional to the laser wavelength and to the RF drive frequency. When only intensity modu...