Frequency stabilization of a long wavelength semiconductor laser is achieved by employing the optogalvanic effect in a feedback control loop with the laser. Absolute references are obtained using noble gases such as argon (1.2 .mu.m to 1.4 .mu.m) and krypton (1.4 .mu.m to 1.6 .mu.m). Standard detection, feedback control and dithering lock-in techniques are used to insure proper frequency stabilization.