Conversion from 3371 to 1124 A by nonresonant optical frequency tripling in compressed krypton gas

Area of Science:

• Laser physics
• Nonlinear optics
• Vacuum ultraviolet spectroscopy

Background:

• High-power lasers are crucial for generating novel wavelengths.
• Frequency tripling is a key technique for VUV generation.
• Nitrogen lasers offer a powerful source for nonlinear frequency conversion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To generate vacuum-ultraviolet (VUV) radiation at 1124 angstroms.
• To investigate frequency tripling of a nitrogen laser in krypton.
• To explore tunable VUV generation using dye lasers.

Main Methods:

• Frequency tripling of a 1-MW, 3-nsec nitrogen laser output.
• Utilizing krypton gas as the nonlinear medium.
• Employing a para-terphenyl dye laser for tunable VUV generation.

Main Results:

• Generation of 1124-angstrom VUV radiation.
• Achieved conversion efficiencies up to 10^-6.
• Determined optimum krypton pressures of 4-5 atm.
• Obtained tunable VUV radiation between 1116-1165 angstroms.

Conclusions:

• Frequency tripling in krypton is an effective method for VUV generation.
• The technique demonstrates potential for VUV spectroscopy and other applications.
• Tunable VUV radiation can be achieved using this approach.