Nonlinear polarization spectroscopy of a Rydberg state for laser stabilization

We demonstrate modulation-free laser stabilization to an atomic Rydberg transition using nonlinear polarization spectroscopy. To stabilize a laser to the upper transition of a three-level ladder scheme, the techniques of standard polarization spectroscopy are adapted to use a narrow, nonlinear coher...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inApplied optics. Optical technology and biomedical optics Vol. 56; no. 3; p. B92
Main Authors Meyer, David H, Kunz, Paul D, Solmeyer, Neal
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 20.01.2017
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Summary:We demonstrate modulation-free laser stabilization to an atomic Rydberg transition using nonlinear polarization spectroscopy. To stabilize a laser to the upper transition of a three-level ladder scheme, the techniques of standard polarization spectroscopy are adapted to use a narrow, nonlinear coherence feature. We obtain a subnatural linewidth dispersive signal that is directly suitable for laser frequency stabilization. We examine the effect of laser polarization on the dispersive line shape. This technique stabilizes the laser to an absolute frequency reference, can be used with numerous Rydberg levels, and eliminates laser modulation, which can enable high bandwidth feedback.
ISSN:2155-3165
DOI:10.1364/AO.56.000B92