PID Control for Laser Locking and Stabilization
Description/Abstract/Artist Statement
Lasers are everywhere in the field of experimental atomic physics and are used to manipulate and control atomic states in applications such as high-precision spectroscopy, laser-cooling to ultracold temperatures, and performing quantum gates on qubits. However, these processes require precise stabilization of a laser’s wavelength, due to drift caused by fluctuations in the ambient environment, and can even lead to mode hops by several GHz. In this study, we developed and demonstrated the effectiveness of a Proportional Derivative Integral (PID) control loop at locking a commercial external cavity diode laser onto a specified wavelength. The PID controller effectively countered any drift in the laser’s output, while increasing its accuracy from a range of ±10 fm to ± 6 fm. Additionally, the PID can pull the laser to a new wavelength within 100 ms enabling laser scans of atomic lineshapes. This program can be used to streamline the use of the laser in the lab, allowing for more sophisticated experiments such as resonantly driving atomic transition.
Faculty Advisor/Mentor
Dr. Matt Grau
Faculty Advisor/Mentor Department
Physics
College Affiliation
College of Sciences
Presentation Type
Poster
Disciplines
Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics | Optics | Quantum Physics
Session Title
Poster Session
Location
Learning Commons Lobby @ Perry Library
Start Date
3-30-2024 8:30 AM
End Date
3-30-2024 10:00 AM
PID Control for Laser Locking and Stabilization
Learning Commons Lobby @ Perry Library
Lasers are everywhere in the field of experimental atomic physics and are used to manipulate and control atomic states in applications such as high-precision spectroscopy, laser-cooling to ultracold temperatures, and performing quantum gates on qubits. However, these processes require precise stabilization of a laser’s wavelength, due to drift caused by fluctuations in the ambient environment, and can even lead to mode hops by several GHz. In this study, we developed and demonstrated the effectiveness of a Proportional Derivative Integral (PID) control loop at locking a commercial external cavity diode laser onto a specified wavelength. The PID controller effectively countered any drift in the laser’s output, while increasing its accuracy from a range of ±10 fm to ± 6 fm. Additionally, the PID can pull the laser to a new wavelength within 100 ms enabling laser scans of atomic lineshapes. This program can be used to streamline the use of the laser in the lab, allowing for more sophisticated experiments such as resonantly driving atomic transition.