Field-programmable gate array based locking circuit for external cavity diode laser frequency stabilization

Rev Sci Instrum. 2011 Oct;82(10):103103. doi: 10.1063/1.3646477.

Abstract

We present a locking circuit for external cavity diode lasers implemented on a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). The main advantages over traditional non-FPGA-based locking circuits are rapid reconfigurability without any soldering and a friendly user interface. We characterize the lock quality by measuring the linewidth of a locked laser using electromagnetically induced transparency in a Rb vapor cell.