LASER FREQUENCY STABILIZATION BY SATURATED ABSORPTION

This paper summarizes the metrological results available about saturated absorption stabilized lasers. After recalling their fundamental limitations, we describe the present state of the art of the most important lasers : C02 at 10.6 µm, He-Ne at 3.39 µm, and visible iodine stabilized systems. We show that there is a real need for improved performances, and that we now have all the tools necessary to fulfill this need