ISSN:
1432-0630
Keywords:
33
;
42.55
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Production Engineering, Mining and Metallurgy, Traffic Engineering, Precision Mechanics
,
Physics
Notes:
Abstract The characteristics of a stable, external-resonator spin-flip Raman laser (SFRL), pumped by a cw carbon monoxide laser of controlled mode quality and spectral content, are determined using a combination of molecular spectroscopy, Raman amplifier and confocal Fabry-Perot interferometer measurements, and heterodyne detection. Single-frequency output of a free-running external-resonator is demonstrated with an inherent linewidth of 〈10 kHz and a short-term frequency jitter of ≃100 kHz. With the resonator length actively controlled to lock an axial mode frequency to the peak of the spontaneous gain, the linewidth of the SFRL output was maintained below 2 MHz. In this mode of operation, small variations in the output tuning rate, corresponding to the magnetic field dependence of the conduction-electrong-factor, were calibrated. Molecular absorption spectra obtained using gas cells both inside and outside the resonator have been used to illustrate the high resolution, wide-range tuning capability and sensitivity of the system. Lambda-doubling of the $$^2 \pi _{3/2} $$ of the Q-branch head of nitric oxide was measured for values ofJ down to 13/2, below which the splitting is less than the Doppler width. The splittings agreed with predictions using parameters obtained by conventional spectra for higherJ-values.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00932399
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