Frequency-stabilized seed laser system for dial applications around 0.94 mu m

Absolute frequency stabilization of an extended-cavity diode laser at 0.94 mu m is reported. The diode laser was frequency locked against rovibrational absorption lines of water vapour by using the frequency modulation spectroscopy technique. The stabilized oscillator shows a short-term frequency stability level of similar to 40 kHz for integration times of 1 s and a long-term frequency drift lower than 10 MHz for observation times longer than 10(3) s. The frequency-stabilized oscillator system is mounted on a compact breadboard (75 cm x 50 cm) and constitutes the seed laser system for the injection of a high-energy DIAL laser transmitter operating in the 0.94-mu m spectral region. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.