Development of a space-qualifiable, compact, and robust optical frequency reference as basis for a hybrid lock

Optical cavities can be used to generate laser sources with high frequency stability. These already play an essential role in many areas of science and will soon also be used in everyday applications. In terrestrial applications, for example, they form an elementary component of the world’s most stable clocks, are needed to measure gravitational waves or serve as the basis for optical communication. In satellite-based applications, they have already shown their potential in the field of earth observation and are also under discussion for future satellite navigation concepts. However, further development is required to exploit their full potential.
This dissertation addresses precisely this challenge. It deals with the development of a robust and compact optical frequency reference in the form of a high-finesse optical cavity for use in future satellite missions. This high-performance setup should fulfill the requirements of future earth observation missions and at the same time be designed to be part of a hybrid frequency reference, a combination with an absolute frequency reference, which is currently under discussion for future satellite navigation concepts.