Microcontroller-based locking in optics experiments
Optics
2015-01-12 v2 Instrumentation and Detectors
Quantum Physics
Abstract
Optics experiments critically require the stable and accurate locking of relative phases between light beams or the stabilization of Fabry-Perot cavity lengths. Here, we present a simple and inexpensive technique based on a stand-alone microcontroller unit to perform such tasks. Easily programmed in C language, this reconfigurable digital locking system also enables automatic relocking and sequential functioning. Different algorithms are detailed and applied to fringe locking and to low- and high-finesse optical cavity stabilization, without the need of external modulations or error signals. This technique can readily replace a number of analog locking systems advantageously in a variety of optical experiments.
Cite
@article{arxiv.1409.3675,
title = {Microcontroller-based locking in optics experiments},
author = {K. Huang and H. Le Jeannic and J. Ruaudel and O. Morin and J. Laurat},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1409.3675},
year = {2015}
}