Optical Spectrum Analyzer with Quantum-Limited Noise Floor

M. Bishof, X. Zhang, M. J. Martin, and Jun Ye
Phys. Rev. Lett. 111, 093604 – Published 30 August 2013
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Abstract

Interactions between atoms and lasers provide the potential for unprecedented control of quantum states. Fulfilling this potential requires detailed knowledge of frequency noise in optical oscillators with state-of-the-art stability. We demonstrate a technique that precisely measures the noise spectrum of an ultrastable laser using optical lattice-trapped Sr87 atoms as a quantum projection noise-limited reference. We determine the laser noise spectrum from near dc to 100 Hz via the measured fluctuations in atomic excitation, guided by a simple and robust theory model. The noise spectrum yields a 26(4) mHz linewidth at a central frequency of 429 THz, corresponding to an optical quality factor of 1.6×1016. This approach improves upon optical heterodyne beats between two similar laser systems by providing information unique to a single laser and complements the traditionally used Allan deviation which evaluates laser performance at relatively long time scales. We use this technique to verify the reduction of resonant noise in our ultrastable laser via feedback from an optical heterodyne beat. Finally, we show that knowledge of our laser’s spectrum allows us to accurately predict the laser-limited stability for optical atomic clocks.

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  • Received 27 March 2013

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.111.093604

© 2013 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

M. Bishof, X. Zhang, M. J. Martin, and Jun Ye

  • JILA, National Institute of Standards and Technology and University of Colorado, Department of Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, USA

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Issue

Vol. 111, Iss. 9 — 30 August 2013

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