The absolute frequencies of rubidium 5S-7S two-photon transitions at 760 nm are measured to an accuracy of 20 kHz with an optical frequency comb based on a mode-locked femtosecond Ti:sapphire laser. The rubidium 5S-7S two-photon transitions are potential candidates for frequency standards and serve as important optical frequency standards for telecommunication applications. The accuracy of the hyperfine constant of the 7S1/2 state is improved by a factor of 5 in comparison with previous results.

The iodine molecule has frequently been used as a frequency reference from the green to the near-infrared wavelength region (500-900 nm). We describe the frequency locking of the second-harmonic signal of a 197.2-THz (1520.25-nm) distributed-feedback diode laser to the absorption lines of the iodine hyperfine structure; a frequency jitter below 0.1 MHz was achieved at a 300-ms time constant. This scheme provides a simple, compact, and high-performance frequency reference in the optical communication band.

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