LINBO3 WAVE-GUIDE ETALON ARRAY FOR FREQUENCY REFERENCE

This paper investigates the LiNbO3 waveguide etalon array which can be used as an optical frequency scale for the frequency standard for sta bilization of a laser diode and the filter in the optical frequency do main. In a hybrid configuration made of cascaded fused quartz-type bra nch guides, the resonant characteristics are evaluated. An etalon arra y filter characteristic with good waveguide uniformity is confirmed. A lso, the stability of the fluctuation of each resonant peak frequency of the etalon array is evaluated with a frequency standard laser. In a ddition, a method is proposed for stabilization with a reference laser and an actual operation is confirmed. As a result, the frequency fluc tuation of about 20 MHz with only the temperature control of 1/100 deg rees C is reduced to +/-2 MHz (corresponding to 1/1000 degrees C) with stabilization by a reference laser. Further, an application example w as presented when the present etalon array is used as a frequency subs tandard.