Stimulated emission in optically pumped atomic-copper vapor

Area of Science:

• Atomic Physics
• Laser Science
• Quantum Optics

Background:

• Atomic copper vapor lasers are crucial for various applications.
• Understanding energy level dynamics is key to optimizing laser performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate stimulated emission in laser-excited atomic copper vapor.
• To provide experimental evidence for collisional mixing between copper atom energy levels.

Main Methods:

• Excitation of copper atoms using a resonant tunable laser beam.
• Observation of amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) at specific transitions.
• Analysis of ASE under varying pump frequencies and detuning.

Main Results:

• First observation of stimulated emission in atomic copper vapor.
• Strong ASE generated for (2)P(1/2)-(2)D(3/2) and (2)P(3/2)-(2)D(5/2) transitions upon excitation of the (2)P(1/2) level.
• Direct experimental evidence of collisional mixing between the (2)P(1/2) and (2)P(3/2) levels.
• Collision-induced ASE observed for both transitions across a wide pump frequency detuning range.

Conclusions:

• The findings confirm collisional mixing in copper vapor lasers.
• Results have implications for the development of high-pressure copper-vapor lasers.
• Demonstrates a novel method for studying atomic energy level interactions.