Ruggedized, Mode Hop Free, Frequency-Stabilized External Cavity Diode Laser (ECDL) for Quantum Information Science Applications

Frequency-stabilized, tunable external cavity diode lasers (ECDLs) are commonly used in many types of quantum systems such as sensors, clocks, and computers. Typical ECDLs are designed for operation in laboratory environments, and are susceptible to wide temperature ranges, vibrations, and other environmental perturbations. DRS Daylight Solutions has developed a ruggedized, low-cost tunable ECDL that is designed to minimize size and weight based on a novel external cavity design. Designed by the industry leaders in rugged aerospace laser systems, the laser is ideally suited for applications which require long-term stability in noisy, variable environments. The laser is hermetically sealed for operation in humid, dusty, or vacuum compatible applications. The ECDL remains locked to reference cavities during 150g shock pulses and extreme vibration. This laser can be configured to operate at wavelengths from 369nm to 1800nm in both free space and with fiber coupled output options. Frequency tuning is mode hop free over >50GHz, while free running linewidth is best in class.

Alex Whitmore is the Director of Laser Engineering at DRS Daylight Solutions in San Diego, CA. He graduated from University of California – San Diego with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from San Diego State University. At Daylight Solutions, he has led a team which has developed over 15 novel lasers for commercial, defense and OEM applications which require high power and extreme stability in rugged defense environments in the UV to LWIR wavelength range.