Tunable ultra-narrow linewidth diode laser for multiple metastable rare gas pumping

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Laser Physics
• Atomic Spectroscopy

Background:

• High-power, narrow-linewidth lasers are crucial for applications like atomic spectroscopy and laser pumping.
• Existing diode laser systems often face limitations in power, spectral purity, or tunability for specific atomic transitions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel external cavity feedback structure for diode laser arrays.
• To achieve a high-power, ultra-narrow linewidth diode laser source capable of pumping metastable rare gases.
• To demonstrate wavelength tunability for matching specific atomic absorption spectra.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a double-layer laser diode array integrated with a volume Bragg grating (VBG).
• Implemented external cavity feedback and diode laser collimation.
• Controlled VBG temperature for wavelength tuning.

Main Results:

• Achieved a high-power (exceeding 100 W) diode laser source with an ultra-narrow spectral linewidth (0.052 nm).
• Demonstrated high external cavity feedback (>90%) and electro-optical conversion efficiencies (>46%).
• Tuned the central wavelength from 811.292 nm to 811.613 nm, covering Kr* and Ar* absorption spectra.

Conclusions:

• Presented a novel external cavity feedback structure for diode laser arrays.
• Successfully demonstrated a high-power, ultra-narrow linewidth diode laser capable of pumping two metastable rare gases.
• The developed laser system offers efficient and tunable pumping for rare gas spectroscopy.