Frequency measurements on optically narrowed Rb-stabilised laser diodes at 780 nm and 795 nm

Laser diodes, optically narrowed using the technique of resonant optical feedback, have been frequency stabilised to hyperfine transitions of the two Rb D lines at 780 nm and 795 nm. The best frequency stability of the beat between two similar lasers was 1.5 kHz (4 parts in 10¹² of the optical frequency) observed for an averaging time of 10 s. A frequency reproducibility of 44 kHz (one standard deviation) was observed on strong isolated hyperfine components, and possible causes of frequency shift were investigated. Values for the Rb hyperfine intervals were obtained, leading to an improved determination of the excited state hyperfine constants of ⁸⁵Rb and ⁸⁷Rb, and the isotope shift. The absolute frequencies of the hyperfine transitions of the two D lines were determined interferometrically by comparison with an ¹²⁷I₂-stabilised He-Ne laser at 633 nm. Measurements were made on component c at 795 nm and the d/f level crossing at 780 nm. The frequencies were found to be 377106271.6 MHz and 384227981.9 MHz respectively under the chosen conditions, with an uncertainty of ±0.4 MHz, limited by knowledge of the reference frequency. These results represent the most accurate and complete characterisation to date of laser diodes stabilised to Doppler-free Rb spectra.