Active laser frequency stabilization using neutral praseodymium (Pr)

Oppel S, Guthörlein GH, Kaenders W, von Zanthier J (2010)

Publication Status: Published

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2010

Journal

Applied Physics B-Lasers and Optics Springer Verlag (Germany)

Publisher: Springer Verlag (Germany)

Book Volume: 101

Pages Range: 33-44

Journal Issue: 1-2

DOI: 10.1007/s00340-010-4007-9

Abstract

We present a new possibility for the active frequency stabilization of a laser using transitions in neutral praseodymium. Because of its five outer electrons, this element shows a high density of energy levels leading to an extremely line-rich excitation spectrum with more than 25 000 known spectral lines ranging from the UV to the infrared. We demonstrate the active frequency stabilization of a diode laser on several praseodymium lines between 1105 and 1123 nm. The excitation signals were recorded in a hollow cathode lamp and observed via laser-induced fluorescence. These signals are strong enough to lock the diode laser onto most of the lines by using standard laser locking techniques. In this way, the frequency drifts of the unlocked laser of more than 30 MHz/h were eliminated and the laser frequency stabilized to within 1.4(1) MHz for averaging times > 0.2 s. Frequency quadrupling the stabilized diode laser can produce frequency-stable UV-light in the range from 276 to 281 nm. In particular, using a strong hyperfine component of the praseodymium excitation line E=16 502.616(7/2) cm(-1) -> E = 25442.742(9/2)(0) cm(-1) at lambda=1118.5397(4) nm makes it possible-after frequency quadruplication-to produce laser radiation at lambda/4=279.6349(1) nm, which can be used to excite the D(2) line in Mg(+).

Authors with CRIS profile

Steffen Oppel Institut für Optik, Information und Photonik Joachim von Zanthier Quantum Optics & Quantum Information

Involved external institutions

Helmut-Schmidt-Universität - Universität der Bundeswehr Hamburg DE Germany (DE) TOPTICA Photonics AG DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Oppel, S., Guthörlein, G.H., Kaenders, W., & von Zanthier, J. (2010). Active laser frequency stabilization using neutral praseodymium (Pr). Applied Physics B-Lasers and Optics, 101(1-2), 33-44. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00340-010-4007-9

MLA:

Oppel, Steffen, et al. "Active laser frequency stabilization using neutral praseodymium (Pr)." Applied Physics B-Lasers and Optics 101.1-2 (2010): 33-44.

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