Thermal-noise limits to the frequency stability of burned spectral holes
Techniques in frequency stabilization of lasers to fixed-spacer optical cavities have advanced to the point where the ultimate frequency stabilities are limited by thermal noise for standard cavity configurations at room temperature. In early experiments, laser stabilization via spectral-hole burning (SHB) has been shown to be a promising alternative. In this Letter, we explore the thermal-noise limits to frequency stability in spectral holes and compile known material parameters for a typical system used in SHB experiments (Eu3+ doped Y2SiO5) to make numerical estimates for the fundamental thermal-noise induced frequency instability in spectral holes for the liquid-helium temperature and dilution temperature cases. These efforts can guide the design of future SHB experiments and clarify which important material parameters remain to be measured.
Authors
- S. Seidelin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8994-7660)
- Norman J. Wagner (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9565-619X)
- M. T. Hartman (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6046-1402)
- Bess Fang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4482-6640)
Institutions
- Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (DE)
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR)
- Observatoire de Paris (FR)
- Sorbonne Université (FR)
- Systèmes de Référence Temps-Espace (FR)
- Institut Néel (FR)
- Université Grenoble Alpes (FR)
- Technische Universität Braunschweig (DE)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Applied Physics Letters
- Published
- 2025-07-14
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0258936
- Citations
- 2
- Primary Topic
- Advanced Frequency and Time Standards
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 2.49
Funders
- European Commission
- Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
- Agence Nationale de la Recherche
- Horizon 2020 Framework Programme
- HORIZON EUROPE Framework Programme
- H2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- European Metrology Programme for Innovation and Research