Advanced characterization of 795nm VCSELs for atomic clock applications

In this research work, electro-optical characterizations of Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers (VCSELs) for rubidium-based atomic clock applications are presented. Single-aperture VCSEL emitting at 795nm is tested and its Light- Current-Voltage (L-I-V) characteristics, in addition to temperature performance is presented. Emission linewidth is measured using the scanning Fabry-Perot interferometer technique, where a full-width half-maximum value of 30.3MHz is measured. Moreover, atomic-clock-specific characterizations, including the trace transmission signal through the 87Rb atomic vapor cell, are performed to characterize the effect of broader linewidth of the VCSEL on the performance of the system. These findings underscore the need for specialized VCSEL designs with narrower linewidths and optimized temperature performance specifically tailored for quantum sensing applications.