Mounting system for optical frequency reference cavities

US7469454B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• The Regents of the University of Colorado · US
• The United States of America, as Represented by the Secretary of Commerce National Institute of Standards and Technology · US

Inventors

• Mark Notcutt · Boulder, US
• John L. Hall · Tracy, US
• Long Ma · Boulder, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 25, 2006
• Grant date: Dec 30, 2008
• Expiry date: Mar 16, 2027

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T29/51
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A technique for reducing the vibration sensitivity of laser-stabilizing optical reference cavities is based upon an improved design and mounting method for the cavity, wherein the cavity is mounted vertically. It is suspended at one plane, around the spacer cylinder, equidistant from the mirror ends of the cavity. The suspension element is a collar of an extremely low thermal expansion coefficient material, which surrounds the spacer cylinder and contacts it uniformly. Once the collar has been properly located, it is cemented in place so that the spacer cylinder is uniformly supported and does not have to be squeezed at all. The collar also includes a number of cavities partially bored into its lower flat surface, around the axial bore. These cavities are support points, into which mounting base pins will be inserted. Hence the collar is supported at a minimum of three points.