Wavelength locking of multiple diode lasers by multiplexed gratings in a photorefractive crystal

We propose a technique to simultaneously stabilize relative wavelengths amo ng multiple diode lasers by using multiplexed photorefractive gratings. Eac h grating is designed to be Bragg matched for the counter-propagating refle ction at a specific diode laser wavelength. Experimental results from stabi lization of two diode laser wavelengths by using two photorefractive gratin gs exhibit excellent short- and long-term wavelength stability. We show tha t this technique can be extended to stabilize relative wavelengths of many diode lasers. The thermal stability of the photorefractive gratings and the signal-to-noise ratio (or the bit-error rate) are discussed. (C) 2000 Amer ican Institute of Physics. [S0003-6951(00)00241-2].