A flight like absolute optical frequency reference based on iodine for laser systems at 1064 nm

Abstract

We present an absolute optical frequency reference based on precision spectroscopy of hyperfine transitions in molecular iodine 127I2 for laser systems operating at 1064 nm. A quasi-monolithic spectroscopy setup was developed, integrated, and tested with respect to potential deployment in space missions that require frequency stable laser systems. We report on environmental tests of the setup and its frequency stability and reproducibility before and after each test. Furthermore, we report on the first measurements of the frequency stability of the iodine reference with an unsaturated absorption cell which will greatly simplify its application in space missions. Our frequency reference fulfills the requirements on the frequency stability for planned space missions such as LISA or NGGM.