Hannover 2016 – scientific programme
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Q: Fachverband Quantenoptik und Photonik
Q 58: Poster: Quantum Optics and Photonics IV
Q 58.38: Poster
Thursday, March 3, 2016, 16:30–19:00, Empore Lichthof
Automated experiment control and laser frequency stabilization of the KALEXUS experiment on a sounding rocket. — •Aline Dinkelaker1, Andrew Kenyon1, Max Schiemangk1, Vladimir Schkolnik1, Markus Krutzik1, Achim Peters1,2, and The KALEXUS Team1,2,3,4,5 — 1Institut für Physik, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin — 2FBH Berlin — 3JGU Mainz — 4LU Hannover — 5Menlo Systems GmbH
To demonstrate the functionality of a laser system for atomic physics experiments in space, the KALEXUS experiment tests the performance of two frequency stabilized micro-integrated extended cavity diode lasers (ECDLs) on a sounding rocket for the first time. Most challenging is the sensitivity of ECDLs to vibrational and thermal effects as locking parameters can change throughout launch and flight, while real-time communication to adjust these parameters is not possible in our mission. Therefore we developed automated control software with a state machine to regulate the experiment during its sequence and perform absorption spectroscopy and different functional tests, including tests of fallback options and redundancy equipment. The experiment is autonomous from first switch-on and requires no manual control. We present the structure of the experimental control, focusing on the implementation of several layers of auto-detection for autonomous frequency stabilization in the changing environment of a sounding rocket.
The KALEXUS project is supported by the German Space Agency DLR with funds provided by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) under grant number 50 WM 1345.