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Construction and Characterization of External Cavity Diode Lasers for Atomic Physics
Published on: April 24, 2014
Multimode-diode-pumped gas (alkali-vapor) laser
Ralph H Page1, Raymond J Beach, V Keith Kanz
1Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, California 94551-0808, USA.
Optics Letters
|February 17, 2006
Summary
This study demonstrates the first multimode-diode-pumped gas laser using rubidium (Rb) vapor. The novel laser achieved approximately 1 W output, showing potential for higher power scaling.
Area of Science:
- Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics
- Laser Physics and Technology
Background:
- Diode-pumped gas lasers offer unique advantages in spectral purity and tunability.
- Previous research has not demonstrated multimode-diode-pumping for gas lasers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the first successful demonstration of a multimode-diode-pumped gas laser.
- To investigate the performance of rubidium (Rb) vapor on the D1 resonance transition.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a volume-Bragg-grating stabilized pump diode array for pumping.
- Employed rubidium (Rb) vapor as the gain medium operating on the 795 nm D1 transition.
Main Results:
- Achieved a peak output power of approximately 1 Watt.
- Demonstrated an output radiance exceeding pump radiance by over 2000 times.
Conclusions:
- The successful demonstration confirms the viability of multimode-diode-pumping for gas lasers.
- The high radiance and potential for power scaling indicate promising applications for this laser technology.
