Teaching physics with 670-nm diode lasers - Experiments with Fabry-Perot cavities

American Journal of Physics

Volumn 64, Issue 9, 1996, Pages 1109-1116

  Boyd, R A ^a   Bliss, J L ^a   Libbrecht, K G ^a  

^a CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY   (United States)

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

EID: 0030496675     PISSN: 00029505     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1119/1.18330     Document Type: Article

References (15)

1. K. G. Libbrecht, R. A. Boyd, P. A. Willems, T. L. Gustavson, and D. K. Kim, "Teaching physics with 670-nm diode lasers - Construction of stabilized lasers and lithium cells," Am. J. Phys. 63, 729-737 (1995).
2. We have found ways to increase the number of students that can productively use one setup by: (1) having students work in pairs; and (2) scheduling pairs of students to come in at different times to use the same apparatus. Our experience is that at least three pairs of students can use the same setup by arranging them to come at different times during a one-week experiment. However having separate setups for each pair of students is desirable.
3. D. M. Kane, "The use of the nearly confocal interferometer for the study of transverse modes of a cavity," Am. J. Phys. 59, 235-239 (1991).
4. A. Poloeanu and I. Popescu, "Some simple experimental studies using a passive cavity coupled to a HeNe laser cavity for practice in a quantum electronics laboratory," Am. J. Phys. 57, 646-654 (1989).
5. J. C. Amato, R. E. Williams, and H. Helm, "An inexpensive, easy to build Fabry-Perot interferometer and its use in the introductory laboratory," Am. J. Phys. 59, 992-994 (1991).
6. N. Whitlatch, "Spectrum analysis of optical resonators," Am. J. Phys. 58, 556-566 (1990).
7. A. Yariv, Optical Electronics (Holt, Rinehart and Winston, New York, 1991), 4th ed.
8. Our source was Virgo Optics, which provided the mirror substrates as well as the coatings at a cost of $1900.00 for 20 pieces. A number of other vendors, such as Lightning Optical, can provide the same service.
9. Thor Labs part No. RA90, or equivalent.
10. Thor Labs part No. AD1.
11. Hewlett-Packard model HP54600A.
12. K. G. Libbrecht and J. L. Hall, "A low-noise high-speed diode laser current controller," Rev. Sci. Instrum. 64, 2133-2135 (1993).
13. J. L. Hall and M. Zhu, "An Introduction to Phase-Stable Optical Sources," Proceedings of the International School of Physics - Enrico Fermi, 1992, edited by E. Arimondo, W. D. Phillips, and F. Strumia (North-Holland, Amsterdam, 1992).
14. R. W. P. Drever et al. "Laser phase and frequency stabilization using an optical resonator," Appl. Phys. B 31, 97-105 (1983).
15. G. C. Bjorklund et al., "Frequency-modulation (FM) spectroscopy -theory of line shapes and signal-to-noise analysis," Appl. Phys. B 31, 145-152 (1983).