Understanding and correcting wavenumber error in interference pattern structured illumination imaging.

The impacts of uncertainty in mirror movements in mechanically scanned interference pattern structured illumination imaging (IPSII) are discussed. It is shown that uncertainty in IPSII mirror movements causes errors in both the phase and amplitude of the Fourier transform of the resulting imaging. Finally, we demonstrate that iterative phase retrieval algorithms can improve the quality of IPSII images by correcting the phase errors caused by mirror movement uncertainties.

Laser wavelength metrology with low-finesse etalons and Bayer filters.

We present a wavelength meter with picometer-scale resolution based on etaloning effects of inexpensive glass slides and the built-in color filters of a consumer grade CMOS camera. After calibrating the device to a commercial meter, we tested the device's calibration stability using two tunable visible lasers for a period of over 16 days. The wavelength error over that entire period has a standard deviation of 5.29 parts per million (ppm) about a most probable error of 0.90 ppm. Within 24 hours of calibration, this improves to 0.04 ppm with a standard deviation of 3.94 ppm.

Magneto-Optical Trap Field Characterization with the Directional Hanle Effect.

We demonstrate the use of spatial emission patterns to measure magnetic fields. The directional aspect of the Hanle effect gives a direct, visual presentation of the magnetic fields, in which brighter fluorescence indicates larger fields. It can be used to determine the direction as well as the magnitude of the field. It is particularly well suited for characterizing and aligning magneto-optical traps, requiring little or no additional equipment or setup beyond what is ordinarily used in a magneto-optical trap, and being most sensitive to fields of the size typically present in a magneto-optical trap.

Light splitting with imperfect wave plates.

We discuss the use of wave plates with arbitrary retardances, in conjunction with a linear polarizer, to split linearly polarized light into two linearly polarized beams with an arbitrary splitting fraction. We show that for non-ideal wave plates, a much broader range of splitting ratios is typically possible when a pair of wave plates, rather than a single wave plate, is used. We discuss the maximum range of splitting fractions possible with one or two wave plates as a function of the wave plate retardances, and how to align the wave plates to achieve the maximum splitting range possible when simply rotating one of the wave plates while keeping the other one fixed. We also briefly discuss an alignment-free polarization rotator constructed from a pair of half-wave plates.

Laser wavelength metrology with color sensor chips.

We present a laser wavelength meter based on a commercial color sensor chip. The chip consists of an array of photodiodes with different absorptive color filters. By comparing the relative amplitudes of light on the photodiodes, the wavelength of light can be determined. In addition to absorption in the filters, etalon effects add additional spectral features which improve the precision of the device. Comparing the measurements from the device to a commercial wavelength meter and to an atomic reference, we found that the device has picometer-level precision and picometer-scale drift over a period longer than a month.

Note: updates to an ultra-low noise laser current driver.

We describe updates to our current driver design allowing for higher output currents, both positive and negative currents, and updated digital interfacing to the microcontroller. We also discuss measurement of the noise spectral density of the driver with a better technique, showing that the driver's actual current noise density is about an order of magnitude lower than the upper limit we previously determined.

An ultrahigh stability, low-noise laser current driver with digital control.

We present a low-noise, high modulation-bandwidth design for a laser current driver with excellent long-term stability. The driver improves upon the commonly used Hall-Libbrecht design. The current driver can be operated remotely by way of a microprocessing unit, which controls the current set point digitally. This allows precise repeatability and improved accuracy and stability. It also allows the driver to be placed near the laser for reduced noise and for lower phase lag when using the modulation input. We present the theory of operation for our driver in detail, and give a thorough characterization of its stability, noise, set-point accuracy and repeatability, temperature dependence, transient response, and modulation bandwidth.

Self-referenced prism deflection measurement schemes with microradian precision.

We have demonstrated several inexpensive methods that can be used to measure the deflection angles of prisms with microradian precision. The methods are self-referenced, where various reversals are used to achieve absolute measurements without the need of a reference prism or any expensive precision components other than the prisms under test. These techniques are based on laser interferometry and have been used in our laboratory to characterize parallel-plate beam splitters, penta prisms, right-angle prisms, and corner cube reflectors using only components typically available in an optics laboratory.

Increasing the output of a Littman-type laser by use of an intracavity Faraday rotator.

We present a method of external-cavity diode-laser grating stabilization that combines the high output power of the Littrow design with the fixed output pointing of the Littman-Metcalf design. Our new approach utilizes a Faraday-effect optical isolator inside the external cavity. Experimental testing and a model that describes the tuning range and optimal tuning parameters of the laser are described. Preliminary testing of this design has resulted in a short-term linewidth of 360 KHz and a side-mode suppression of 37 dB. The laser tunes mode hop free over 7 GHz, and we predict that much larger tuning ranges are possible.