JOKARUS - Design of a compact optical iodine frequency reference for a sounding rocket mission

Abstract

We present the design of a compact absolute optical frequency reference for space applications based on hyperfine transitions in molecular iodine with a targeted fractional frequency instability of better than $3\cdot 10^{-14}$. It is based on a micro-integrated extended cavity diode laser with integrated optical amplifier, fiber pigtailed second harmonic generation wave-guide modules, and a quasi-monolithic spectroscopy setup with operating electronics. The instrument described here is scheduled for launch end of 2017 aboard the TEXUS 54 sounding rocket as an important qualification step towards space application of iodine frequency references and related technologies. The payload will operate autonomously and its optical frequency will be compared to an optical frequency comb during its space flight.

References in corpus (5)

• Quantum Test of the Equivalence Principle and Space-Time aboard the International Space Station
• A compact and robust diode laser system for atom interferometry on a sounding rocket
• Autonomous frequency stabilization of two extended cavity diode lasers at the potassium wavelength on a sounding rocket
• Space-borne Gravitational Wave Observatories
• PHARAO Laser Source Flight Model: Design and Performances

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