High-resolution spectroscopy of the K-39 transitions at 770 nm and (C2H2)-C-13 saturated lines by a solid-state laser at 1.54 mu m: Toward an optical frequency standard in the optical communication band

A novel and compact Er-Yb:glass laser was developed and frequency doubled at 770.1 nm; the second harmonic beam was used for high-resolution saturated spectroscopy of the K-39 4S(1/2)-4P(1/2) line. A second harmonic power in excess of 15 muW, with a conversion efficiency of similar to 220 %W-1. was achieved in a periodically poled lithium niobate waveguide. This 770 nm radiation will be used to build an optical frequency standard based on the potassium transition. In addition, saturation spectroscopy of (C2H2)-C-13 in a low-pressure gas cell inside a Fabry-Perot showed an absorption dip with 1.2 MHz linewidth.