Limit of the Frequency Stability in AlGaAs Semiconductor Lasers

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Abstract
A theoretical analysis is presented on the limit of the frequency stability in AlGaAs semiconductor lasers. The theoretical stability is derived taking into account the various limiting factors, which include the quantum noise of the lasers, noise of a photodetector and modulation of the laser frequency. The estimated stability is then compared with the experimental results. It is found that the stability can be improved to the quantum noise level when a Fabry-Perot interferometer is used as a frequency reference, and that the stability is limited not only by the quantum noise but also the noise of a photodetector and frequency modulation when atomic or molecular absorption lines are used.