Laser frequency stabilization using a resonator containing a saturable absorber

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Abstract
Suggests practical methods for stabilizing the frequency of a laser to the center of a weak inverted Lamb dip in a saturable absorber contained between the mirrors of an optical resonator. In one method the resonator forms part of a three-mirror laser cavity, and in two others the resonator is outside the laser. In each case, a servo system is suggested for controlling both the frequency of the laser and the tuning of the resonator, the limiting frequency stability is estimated, and causes of displacement of the controlled frequency from the absorption frequency are discussed. The results are compared with those for an internal cell laser with gas discharge fluctuations, derived using the theory of Greenstein. The practical examples make use of the estimated parameters of the He-20Ne/129I2 combination.