Compact and robust laser system for rubidium laser cooling based on the frequency doubling of a fiber bench at 1560 nm

Abstract

We propose a new compact and reliable laser system for rubidium laser cooling in onboard experiments like atomic clocks or atomic inertial sensors. The system is based on the frequency doubling of a telecom fiber bench at 1560 nm. Fiber components at 1560 nm allow us to generate the repumping laser and to control dynamically the power and the frequency of the 780 nm laser. With this laser system, we obtain a magneto-optical trap of 85Rb even in the presence of mechanical vibrations and strong thermal variations (12 °C in 30 min). © 2007 Springer-Verlag.