High-Power Single-Frequency VECSEL Platform for Quantum Technology

Vertical-external-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VECSEL) have emerged as a very attractive platform for quantum technology applications utilizing ions, atoms, and molecules. This laser platform exhibits a unique combination of features including, high-power single-frequency operation, small SWaP-C parameter, and the ability to cover a broad wavelength range from the ultraviolet, to visible and infrared extending to 2 µm. VECSEL-based systems have been already used in a wide variety of quantum information processing tasks, including spectroscopy, photoionization, and laser cooling. Progress in the development of commercial single-frequency VECSELs and application examples for selected atomic species, such Sr and Yb are reviewed. Recent experiments demonstrating new capability for wavelength versatility and frequency locking with linewidth narrowing to sub-Hz level are presented.