Abstract

In order to achieve both higher resolution and higher sensitivity, a high-resolution molecular-beam spectrometer based on a 1.5-μm cw color-center laser¹ has been improved by the addition of an intracavity electro-optic frequency-stabilization system and a 1.5-μm resonant power-buildup cavity. The cavity is a high-resolution Fabry– Perot interferometer made with a modified Newport SuperCavity™ SR100, in which the two cavity mirrors are bonded to a single piezoelectric tube (PZT). Typical finesse exceeds 1000 over the 1.45-1.65-μm range, and the efficiency is about 50%. The molecular beam crosses the cavity, through a hole in the PZT, perpendicular to its axis at the laser-beam waist in order to minimize Doppler broadening. About 15 W of circulating power in the cavity are obtained upon injection of 25 mW through an optical fiber. This gives a power-buildup factor of about 600. The fiber feed and the monolithic construction make the device insensitive to the vibrations of the molecular- beam apparatus.

© 1995 Optical Society of America