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High-power frequency-stabilized laser for laser cooling of metastable helium at 389 nm

Journal Article · · Review of Scientific Instruments
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1865752· OSTI ID:20644116
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  1. Laser Centre Vrije Universiteit, De Boelelaan 1081, 1081 HV Amsterdam (Netherlands)
A high-power, frequency-stabilized laser for cooling of metastable helium atoms using the 2 {sup 3}S{sub 1}{yields}3 {sup 3}P{sub 2} transition at 389 nm has been developed. The 389 nm light is generated by frequency doubling of a titanium:sapphire laser in an external enhancement cavity containing a lithium-triborate nonlinear crystal. With a maximum conversion efficiency of 75%, 1 W of useful 389 nm power is produced out of 2 W at 778 nm. While being stabilized to the 2 {sup 3}S{sub 1}{yields}3 {sup 3}P{sub 2} transition, the 389 nm frequency is tunable over {+-}150 MHz with respect to the field-free atomic resonance frequency. This is accomplished by Zeeman tuning of the absorption lines used in the frequency-stabilization scheme. The setup for saturated absorption spectroscopy in an rf discharge cell, used to stabilize the 389 nm laser to the atomic transition, is described in detail.
OSTI ID:
20644116
Journal Information:
Review of Scientific Instruments, Journal Name: Review of Scientific Instruments Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 76; ISSN 0034-6748; ISSN RSINAK
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English