SSFLC Polarization Switch for Zeeman Laser Stabilization Loop

Abstract

B Kharkov, UkraineFerroelectric liquid crystals (FLC) as light modulators in the stabilization system of a Zeeman laser increase the quality of stabilization due to the high switching speed and make the whole system very compact. We analyze the operation of the optical part of such a stabilization system and derive optimum values of the FLC cell parameters. Properties of available liquid crystals and their temperature dependence are considered as well as, in particular, the intluence of a slight ellipticity of the laser radiation.

Polarization switching detection method using a ferroelectric liquid crystal for dichroic atomic vapor laser lock frequency stabilization techniques

“…The thin surface-stabilized ferroelectric liquid crystal (SSFLC) cell provides a highly reduced, compact final detector module much smaller than the polarimeter setup, which is important from a technological point of view. The SSFLC cell is a modulator itself and described in [7]. In [8,9] one of the co-authors used the SSFLC cell practically as a laser-mode polarization switch for the frequency stabilization of the Zeeman He-Ne laser and the level of 3 × 10 −8 was achieved.…”