A single-mode, frequency-stabilized LNA ring laser has been developed which routinely provides output powers $\sbsp{\sim}{>}$300 mW at 1.083 $\mu$m when pumped with 5 W of the 514 nm output from an Argon ion laser. A modified CR899-21 Ti:Sapphire ring laser from Coherent Laser Group of Palo Alto produces 300 mW at 1.083 $\mu$m when pumped with 21 W of all-lines Argon ion laser light.
The importance of intense, stable 1.083 $\mu$m laser sources is demonstrated through several experiments. Optical pumping with either laser produces He(2$\sp3$S) atom beams of high polarization which can be maintained for periods of many hours. This allows investigation of Penning Ionization using spin labeling techniques, spin-polarized metastable atom deexcitation spectroscopy, and a novel method for absolute calibration of Mott polarimeters. Saturation of the He(2$\sp3$S) $\rightarrow$ He(2$\sp3$P) transition allows study of the interaction of mixed He(2$\sp3$S)/He(2$\sp3$P) atoms beams with surfaces. Construction of a magneto-optical trap for He(2$\sp3$S) atoms is possible utilizing the high power provided by the laser systems.
Both lasers provide ample power for all applications currently envisioned involving optical pumping and optical manipulation of He(2$\sp3$S) metastable atoms.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:RICE/oai:scholarship.rice.edu:1911/16885 |
| Date | January 1995 |
| Creators | Soletsky, Philip A. |
| Source Sets | Rice University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis, Text |
| Format | application/pdf |
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