High-stability diode-pumped Er-Yb microlaser frequency locked to a /sup 39/K subDoppler line

Abstract

Summary form only given. Frequency stabilized lasers at 15 /spl mu/m are particularly interesting sources for modern dense-wavelength multiplexed fiber communication systems. A frequency stability of 10/sup -10/ is required for the on field devices while stability levels below 10/sup -11/ are needed for laboratory standards. The need for absolute frequency stabilization forces to use molecular or atomic references in order to achieve high stability and accuracy as well. A novel compact cavity diode pumped Er-Yb microlaser at 1.5 /spl mu/m was developed in order to overcome the long-term stability problems encountered with the previous versions of this laser source.