We present a novel external cavity diode laser design developed for atomic physics which employs a micromachined silicon flexure to sweep the laser frequency and a volume holographic reflection grating (VHG) to provide the optical feedback. The advantages of using a silicon flexure are its simple microfabrication process and reduction of the overall size of the laser system. The results demonstrate an optimized threshold current reduction from 59mA to 43mA, a frequency sweeping range of 2.069 GHz, and 87Rb, 85Rb (Rubidium) D2 line absorption at 780 nm.
Polarized optical feedback from an extremely short external cavity for controlling and stabilizing the polarization of vertical cavity surface emitting lasers