Laser physics and spectroscopy in alkali vapor-noble gas mixtures

Mironov, Andrey

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/92766 Copy

Description

Title

Laser physics and spectroscopy in alkali vapor-noble gas mixtures

Author(s)

Mironov, Andrey

Issue Date

2016-07-11

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Eden, James Gary

Doctoral Committee Chair(s)

Eden, James Gary

Committee Member(s)

• Carney, Paul Scott
• Cunningham, Brian T.
• Gruebele, Martin

Department of Study

Electrical & Computer Eng

Discipline

Electrical & Computer Engr

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Degree Level

Dissertation

Keyword(s)

• Spectroscopy
• photoassociation
• alkali lasers
• laser efficiency
• optical pumping
• circular polarization
• spin exchange

Abstract

Experiments are described in which the lower excited states of alkali-rare gas diatomic molecules are probed in alkali vapor-noble gas mixtures by laser spectroscopy. A two color scheme for pumping the alkali D2 line laser has been demonstrated that offers a quantum efficiency above one. More than 100 cm^-1 of thermal energy is extracted from the gain medium for every laser photon. An optical amplifier based on free-free transition of alkali-rare gas pairs has been demonstrated in the 793.3-794.3 nm region of the spectrum. Lasing on specific hyperfine atomic transitions-and, as a result, a 50% D2 line laser efficiency increase-has been demonstrated when alkali vapor-noble gas mixtures are pumped with a circularly polarized light in contrast to a classical pumping scheme (linearly polarized light).

Graduation Semester

2016-08

Type of Resource

text

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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/92766

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2016 Andrey Mironov

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