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Description
Stable and narrow-linewidth lasers are critical for high-precision applications in atomic physics, quantum metrology, and optical clocks. Optical cavities serve as high-fidelity frequency references, significantly improving laser frequency stability by providing a well-defined optical resonance. We demonstrated a novel 3D-printed [1] optical cavity shown in Figure A, using additive manufacturing (AM), optimized for laser stabilization. The cavity spacer is fabricated from low thermal expansion Invar, mitigating thermal fluctuations that typically degrade long-term frequency stability. The cavity achieves a finesse of 1000 and is well-suited for precision atomic clocks (Strontium at 689 nm).
Figure A: CAD Design of 3D-printed optical cavity with mirrors
In laser stabilization, cavity locking offers several advantages over spectroscopy-based locking techniques. While spectroscopy locking relies on atomic or molecular resonances, it is often limited by Doppler broadening and requires complex frequency modulation schemes. In contrast, cavity locking provides a much narrower and more stable reference, improving short-term and long-term frequency stability. The Pound-Drever-Hall (PDH) [2] technique is commonly employed to lock lasers to optical cavities, allowing suppression of frequency noise at levels required for precision metrology and quantum technologies [3, 4]. Additionally, optical cavities enable stabilization at arbitrary frequencies, unlike atomic spectroscopy, which is constrained to discrete atomic transitions.
The use of AM in fabricating high-precision optical reference cavities presents a transformative approach to laser stabilization. Traditional cavity manufacturing processes involve expensive and labor-intensive machining, whereas 3D printing allows for rapid prototyping, complex geometries, and reduced costs. These advantages make this cavity viable for developing compact, thermally stable, and cost-effective frequency-stabilization systems for emerging quantum technologies.
[1] Wang, F. et al., Quantum Science and Technology 10, 015019, (2024)
[2] Idjadi, M.H., Aflatouni, F., Nature Communications 8, 1209, (2017)
[3] Drever, R.W.P., et al. Applied Physics 31, 97–105, (1983)
[4] Young, B. C. et al., Physical Review Letters 82, 3799–3802, (1999)
