Compact-fibered optical frequency standard at 1542 nm stabilized on iodine hyperfine line in the 10-15 range for space applications
Résumé
We report on the development of an optical frequency standard (OFS) operating in the C-Telecom band, stabilized in the 10-15 range, using Doppler-free spectroscopy of iodine hyperfine line around 514 nm. This development could meet the needs of various space projects requiring high precision length measurement between independent spacecrafts, or stabilization of the long distance optical links. That inter-satellites laser interferometry is involved in various space projects such as Next Generation Gravity Missions (NGGM), Gravitational Wave Detection (LISA), Earth Gravity Mapping (GRACE FO), precise Space Geodesy based on cold atoms (GRICE), etc... Moreover, this OFS offer a great opportunity to realize high speed optical communications between spacecrafts (LEO-LEO or LEO-GEO) or for ground to space links, thanks to various photonic components of high technological readiness level available in the CTelecom band.