High stability Nd:YAG laser

The summary form only given. We report on a high stability optical frequency source based on a Nd:YAG laser. A stable local oscillator is an essential component of an optical frequency standard and the techniques acquired through this research will inform the development of wavelength specific standards referenced to atomic absorptions. Light sources with a high degree of coherence are also of interest to the space-science community, namely in applications such as navigation, deep-space communication and gravitational-wave detection. Light from a non-planar ring oscillator Nd:YAG laser is independently stabilised to two high finesse Fabry-Perot etalons constructed from ultra-low-expansivity glass. These are situated on separate vibration isolated platforms within an acoustic and vibration isolated chamber. A heterodyne beat between light separately stabilised to the two etalons has a relative fractional stability of 2x10^-15 at 1 s. The performance of active and passive vibration isolation platforms are compared and the limitations posed by servo control accuracy, vibrational instability and long-term drift will be discussed.