NIST researchers have successfully tested a super-stable laser in a moving minivan, demonstrating its potential for field use in various applications. The laser, which remained stable enough to be used in some applications while parked, was designed to be less sensitive to vibrations than previous models. The team stabilized the laser’s frequency using a common technique involving an optical glass cavity and corrected its frequency using accelerometers and a programmable computer chip. The new laser could enable the use of advanced atomic clocks for geodesy and other applications on moving platforms. The research was supported by the Office of Naval Research, Air Force Office of Scientific Research, and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.
Keywords: Stabilization, Frequency, Accelerometers, Atomic, Geodesy
