Cavity-EBB: Long-term stable optical resonator for future space missions

Abstract

We present the design of an optical resonator setup, which is optimized for long-term stability and future space applications, e.g. within the proposed space mission BOOST (BOOst Symmetry Test). The goal is to achieve a frequency stability better than 1E-15 at 1000 s in the laboratory. In the setup a Nd:YAG laser at 1064 nm is foreseen to be stabilized on a high finesse cavity made of ultra low expansion glass (ULE) and fused silica (FS) mirrors. The whole setup is optimized with respect to its mass, compactness, thermal and vibrational robustness. We are also focusing on the suppression of thermal environmental disturbances using a thermal shielding attenuation. The shielding has been developed with the help of highly accurate numerical simulations using finite element analysis (FEA). Such highly stable and compact frequency standards are crucial for space tests of fundamental physics like tests of Lorentz Invariance.