Locking IR and UV diode lasers to a visible laser using a LabVIEW PID controller on a Fabry-Perot signal

Simultaneous laser locking of IR and UV lasers to a visible reference laser is demonstrated via a Fabry-Perot cavity. LabVIEW is used to analyze the input and an internal PID algorithm converts the Fabry-Perot signal to an analog locking feedback signal. The locking program stabilized both lasers to a long term stability of less than 12 MHz, with the lab-built IR laser undergoing signi?cant improvement in frequency stabilization. The results of this study demonstrate the viability of a simple computer-controlled, non temperature-stabilized Fabry-Perot locking scheme for our applications, laser cooling of Ca+ ions, and its use in other applications with similar modest frequency stabilization requirements.