Short and long term frequency stability of linear monolithic intra-cavity frequency-doubled solid-state laser
Oxxius single-frequency laser stability today
Published at SPIE Photonics West 2010, this paper demonstrates monolithic DPSS laser frequency stability in linear cavity architectures that rivals — and in some cases exceeds — that of conventional Non-Planar Ring Oscillators (NPROs). By characterizing both short-term (minute-scale) frequency drifts and long-term stability across the SLIM product line (532 nm, 550 nm, 561 nm, and 660 nm), Oxxius established that linear monolithic cavities, despite their apparent simplicity, deliver spectral stability fully compatible with the most demanding metrology applications.
This matters because frequency stability is not just a spectroscopic nicety — it directly determines instrument performance in holography, Raman spectrometry, resonant cavity frequency doubling, and doubly resonant OPO pumping. In all these applications, even a frequency hop of a few hundred MHz can invalidate a measurement or interrupt a process. The linear monolithic architecture described here achieves inherent vibration insensitivity and thermal stability through its rigid, monolithic construction — without the cost and manufacturing complexity of ring cavity designs.
From SLIM to LCX: the same architecture, refined
The SLIM-532, SLIM-550, SLIM-561, and SLIM-660 sources characterized in this paper are the direct predecessors of Oxxius’s current LCX single-frequency laser range. The LCX series retains the same linear monolithic cavity principle while incorporating production-grade thermal management, fiber or free-space output options, and OEM-compatible form factors. The frequency stability data published here remains representative of the performance delivered by LCX sources in instruments requiring narrow-linewidth, low-drift visible laser emission.
Abstract
Single longitudinal mode visible DPSS are more and more used in devices where performance can be affected by short term (minutes) frequency drifts and hops. Long exposure holography and Raman spectrometry are applications requiring high frequency stability. Resonant external cavity frequency doubling (to generate CW deep UV) and pumping doubly resonant OPOs may be even more demanding applications in terms of frequency stability. Mechanical vibrations and thermal fluctuations are usual sources of short term frequency variations or instabilities. Monolithic ring cavities (such as NPRO) are known to solve this problem but they are quite expensive to manufacture. We will show that much simpler linear monolithic cavities used in our standard product line (SLIM-532, SLIM-550, SLIM-561 and SLIM-660) present best of class frequency stabilities compatible with the most demanding applications …