Skip to Content
Merck
  • 2.1-watts intracavity-frequency-doubled all-solid-state light source at 671 nm for laser cooling of lithium.

2.1-watts intracavity-frequency-doubled all-solid-state light source at 671 nm for laser cooling of lithium.

Optics express (2013-04-11)
U Eismann, A Bergschneider, F Sievers, N Kretzschmar, C Salomon, F Chevy
ABSTRACT

We present an all-solid-state laser source emitting up to 2.1 W of single-frequency light at 671 nm developed for laser cooling of lithium atoms. It is based on a diode-pumped, neodymium-doped orthovanadate (Nd:YVO(4)) ring laser operating at 1342 nm. Optimization of the thermal management in the gain medium results in a maximum multi-frequency output power of 2.5 W at the fundamental wavelength. We develop a simple theory for the efficient implementation of intracavity second harmonic generation, and its application to our system allows us to obtain nonlinear conversion efficiencies of up to 88%. Single-mode operation and tuning is established by adding an etalon to the resonator. The second-harmonic wavelength can be tuned over 0.5 nm, and mode-hop-free scanning over more than 6 GHz is demonstrated, corresponding to around ten times the laser cavity free spectral range. The output frequency can be locked with respect to the lithium D-line transitions for atomic physics applications. Furthermore, we observe parametric Kerr-lens mode-locking when detuning the phase-matching temperature sufficiently far from the optimum value.

MATERIALS
Product Number
Brand
Product Description

Sigma-Aldrich
Lithium, ribbon, thickness × W 0.75 mm × 19 mm, 99.9% trace metals basis
Sigma-Aldrich
Lithium, granular, 99% trace metals basis
Sigma-Aldrich
Lithium, wire (in mineral oil), diam. 3.2 mm, 99.9% trace metals basis
Sigma-Aldrich
Lithium, wire, diam. 3.2 mm, in mineral oil, ≥98%
Sigma-Aldrich
Lithium, ribbon, thickness × W 0.38 mm × 23 mm, 99.9% trace metals basis
Sigma-Aldrich
Lithium, ribbon, thickness × W 0.75 mm × 45 mm, 99.9% trace metals basis
Sigma-Aldrich
Lithium, ribbon, thickness × W 1.5 mm × 100 mm, 99.9% trace metals basis
Sigma-Aldrich
Lithium, rod, diam. 12.7 mm, 99.9% trace metals basis
Sigma-Aldrich
Lithium, granular, 4-10 mesh particle size, high sodium, 99% (metals basis)