Precise modulation of laser radiation by an acousto-optic modulator for stabilisation of the Nd : YAG laser on optical resonances in molecular iodine

A system of precise frequency modulation of laser radiation by an acousto-optic modulator, which makes it possible to stabilise the radiation power and simultaneously suppress the residual amplitude modulation to a level of 10-8 of the total laser power at the third harmonic of modulation frequency (~500 Hz), is presented. The use of this system for the Nd : YAG/I2 optical frequency standard and application of digital signal synthesis and processing methods provided a level of frequency standard instability as small as ~10-15 for ~6 × 104 s.