Frequency-quintupled laser at 308  nm for atomic physics applications

Area of Science:

• Laser physics and nonlinear optics.
• Atomic spectroscopy.
• Optical engineering.

Background:

• Compact laser sources are crucial for various spectroscopic applications.
• Generating deep ultraviolet (DUV) light efficiently remains a challenge.
• Fiber lasers offer robust and versatile platforms for nonlinear frequency conversion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a compact continuous-wave (CW) laser source emitting at 308 nm.
• To demonstrate a novel frequency quintupling scheme (2ν + 3ν = 5ν).
• To validate the laser's performance using high-resolution atomic spectroscopy.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing a fiber laser operating in the telecom band as the fundamental source.
• Implementing three successive nonlinear frequency conversion stages.
• Employing nonlinear crystals for efficient harmonic generation and sum-frequency mixing.
• Performing linear absorption spectroscopy on a narrow intercombination line in zinc.

Main Results:

• Successful generation of a compact CW laser at 308 nm.
• Demonstration of a 2ν + 3ν = 5ν frequency mixing process.
• Achieved high-resolution linear absorption spectrum of a zinc intercombination line.
• The system's performance was validated through precise spectroscopic measurements.

Conclusions:

• The developed frequency-quintupled laser is a compact and effective source for DUV spectroscopy.
• The 2ν + 3ν = 5ν mixing scheme provides a viable route for generating 308 nm radiation.
• This laser technology opens possibilities for advanced spectroscopic studies of various atomic and molecular species.