Transfer of electronic oscillator frequency stability to laser frequency: an all solid-state approach to laser frequency control

A laser with both narrow linewidth and stable frequency is demonstrated using a diode-pumped ring laser locked to an ultra-high finesse tunable optical resonator which, in turn, is locked to an electronic oscillator. A 1064 nm beam is reported with linewidth on the order of 1 Hz with center frequency stability given by the electronic reference. In this case it is less than 1 part in 10/sup 9/ per day. The entire system is compact and solid-state making it ideal for spaceflight.