Saturation intensity for ultrashort-pulse X-ray laser schemes

Analytic expressions are obtained for the saturation intensity in X-ray laser schemes based on short-pulse high-intensity drivers. For field-ionized plasma schemes, the specific mean saturation intensityJ _sat is time independent and depends only on atomic transition probabilities, level degeneracies, and transition energies. The analytic expression is found to be in good agreement with a detailed numerical calculation. Integrating over space and frequency gives a saturation intensityI _sat of order 2 × 10¹¹ W/cm² for lasing in Li-like Ne at 98 . The low input energy requirements for this scheme (< 1 J), associated with using a confocal geometry, give energy efficiencies of order 10^–6 and greater. For inner-shell photo-ionization schemes, an accurate expression for a time-dependent saturation intensity is obtained. This scheme is calculated to have high saturation intensities,I _sat 10¹³ W/cm², at short wavelengths (5–15 ). The requirement of a line focus geometry leads to higher input energies (5 J) and the short duration of lasing (50 fs) results in lower energy efficiencies ( 10^–7). Repetition rates are important in determining appropriate applications for both schemes.     

Investigation of sub-Doppler cooling effects in a cesium magneto-optical trap

We present an investigation of sub-Doppler effects in a cesium magneto-optical trap. First, a simple one-dimensional theoretical model of the trap is developed for aJ _g = 1 J _e = 2 transition. This model predicts the size of the trapped atom cloud and temperature as a function of laser intensity and detuning. In the limit of small magnetic field gradients, the trap temperature is found to be equal to the molasses temperature and a minimum size for the trap is calculated. We then describe several experiments performed in a three-dimensional cesium trap to measure the trap parameters, spring constant, friction coefficient, temperature and density. Whilst the temperature of the trapped atoms is found to be equal to the molasses temperature, in agreement with theory, the trap spring constant is found to be two orders of magnitude smaller than the one-dimensional prediction, a value close to that predicted by Doppler models. The maximum density is found to be on the order of 10¹² atoms/cm³ or one atom per optical wavelength on average. When the number of trapped atoms becomes large, the temperature begins to increase dramatically. This excess temperature depends in a very simple way on the atom number, laser intensity and detuning, suggesting that its origin lies in multiple photon scattering within the trap.     

Resonantly enhanced three-photon excitation spectra of lithium

We present the first measurement on the resonantly enhanced three-photon excitation spectra of natural lithium using a Nd:YAG laser pumped dye laser in conjunction with a thermionic diode ion detector. Exploiting the linear and circular polarizations, the np ²P_3/2(8 ? n ? 11) and nf  ²F_7/2 (8 ? n ? 38) series have been observed via three-photon excitation from the ground state. The measured level energies reveal a dynamic shift from calculated values, which increases with an increase of the principal quantum number n. The ac stark shift and line broadening mechanisms are studied as a function of laser intensity. It is noted that the width increases and the line center shifts towards the higher energy side as the laser intensity is increased. The maximum observed shift for the 12f ²F_7/2 line is 0.33 cm⁻¹ corresponding to the laser intensity variation from 1.34 × 10¹² W/m² to 1.03 × 10¹³ W/m², whereas its width increases from 0.36 cm⁻¹ to 0.82 cm⁻¹.     

Isotope selective loading of an ion trap using resonance-enhanced two-photon ionization

We have demonstrated that resonance-enhanced two-photon ionization of atomic beams provides an effective tool for isotope selective loading of ions into a linear Paul trap. Using a tunable, narrow-bandwidth, continuous wave (cw) laser system for the ionization process, we have succeeded in producing Mg⁺ and Ca⁺ ions at rates controlled by the atomic beam flux, the laser intensity, and the laser frequency detuning from resonance. We have observed that with a proper choice of control parameters, it is rather easy to load a specific number of ions into a string. This observation has direct applications in quantum optics and quantum computation experiments. Furthermore, resonant photo-ionization loading facilitates the formation of large isotope-pure Coulomb crystals. Received: 21 December 1999 / Published online: 11 May 2000     

Reduced absorption of neon-like bromine X-ray laser radiation in helium

We have measured the absorption of the 19.47-nm neon like bromine (J=2–1) X-ray laser line in low-pressure helium. The experiment was motivated by the coincidence of this line with the low-absorption wing of an autoionizing transition in helium. We observe that, with 1 mbar of helium, the continuum background and another bromine X-ray laser line at 19.82 nm are strongly reduced, enhancing the relative strength of the 19.47-nm laser line. Increasing the helium pressure to 1.5 mbar makes the continuum virtually disappear, resulting in an almost monochromatic emission of the X-ray laser line. An estimate of the absorption cross section for the 19.47-nm line is given as ≈3.9×10^-19 cm² and for the nearby continuum as 0.9–1.3×10^-18 cm². Received: 8 March 1999 / Revised version: 26 April 1999 / Published online: 11 August 1999     

Doubly excited states in the negative hydrogen ion

We present a detailed analysis of doubly excited resonances in H^- of both and symmetry. Both resonance positions and total widths for auto-detachment are calculated using complex coordinate scaling in a Sturmian-type basis in perimetric coordinates. The resonances are classified by approximate quantum numbers with help of their Lewis structures. For the first time, a new class of shape resonances is reported which can be understood as resulting from couplings between different adiabatic potentials with both binding and repulsive character. In addition, we present an analysis of the so called mass polarisation term which gives rise to specific isotope shifts. Received 10 March 1999 and Received in final form 18 October 1999     

Observation of motional sidebands in single 40Ca+ ions with improved detection efficiency

A method for effectively removing background photons and improving the signal-to-background ratio in detection of fluorescence from a single cooled ion is described. In the method, an additional spatial filter placed at an off-focal position is used to remove scattered photons from trap-electrode surfaces. A signal-to-background ratio of more than 200 is obtained. By using this setup, a resolved carrier and motional sidebands on the 4²S_1/2–3²D_5/2 electric quadrupole transition in ⁴⁰ Ca⁺ are observed.     

Near threshold photoionization of excited alkali atoms Ak(np) (Ak = Na, K, Rb, Cs; n = 3-6)

The effect of the polarization of the atomic core by the outer electron on near threshold photoionization of excited alkali atoms Ak(np) (Ak = Na-Cs; n=3-6) is investigated. Partial and total cross-sections for photo-ionization of the np-electron were computed utilizing the configuration interaction technique with Pauli-Fock atomic orbitals (CIPF) and including the long range core polarization potential (CP). To calculate the core polarization potential the variational principle is applied. Comparison with previous theoretical results and with available experimental data is made for the total cross-section , for the electron angular distribution parameter , for the ratio of the reduced electric dipole matrix elements and for the phase shift difference , associated with the d-wave and s-wave continua, respectively. In the comparison, new experimental results for , , and , measured for laser-excited, polarized ³⁹K(4p _3/2) atoms, have been included. Received 21 July 1999 and Received in final form 14 October 1999     

Influence of the helium autoionization structures on the single/double ionization signal

Calculations of intense field (around 10¹⁶ W/cm²) single- and double-ionization processes in helium at XUV wavelengths are presented. The laser wavelength is chosen near the | 2s2p ¹ P autoionization structure and the dynamics are explored. Single and double ionization yields, as well as the photoelectron energy spectrum for photon energies around the autoionization structure are calculated. In the case of a pulse of few femtoseconds duration, no significant enhancement of the double ionization yield has been found in tuning the photon frequency around the peak of the resonance. It is also shown that in the case of a long pulse (and hence narrow compared with the relevant autoionization width), the branching ratio of double to single ionization yield can be relatively enhanced by tuning to the absorption minimum of the resonance. Received 19 February 2002 / Received in final form 2 May 2002 Published online 19 July 2002     

Differential measurement of the ultracold Cs radiative escape and fine structure changing collision rates

We present direct measurements of the overall trap loss rate and the fine structure changing collision rate for ultracold cesium atom confined in a magneto-optical trap over an intensity range of 5 mW/cm² to 200 mW/cm². This set of simultaneous measurements allows the accurate extraction and separation of the fine structure changing rate and the radiative escape rate as these two processes compete with one another to determine the overall trap loss rate. Received 4 December 1998 and Received in final form 18 March 1999     

Decay rate measurement of lithium in a magneto-optical trap

A detailed account of various experimental techniques developed during the study on the decay rate coefficient of laser trapped ⁷Li atoms are presented. The frequency of a dye laser is stabilized using a simple sealed-off cell specially designed for Li vapor. The accurate number of trapped atoms are obtained by measuring the fluorescence intensity and the population ratio between the ground and the excited states by absorption coefficient measurement. The absolute value of the collisional lossrate coefficient of trapped ⁷Li atoms is determined by analyzing the temporal change of the fluorescence intensity when the supply of the Li beam is turned off.     

Stimulated emission of a laser photon by the excited states of a three-level atom

We study the stimulated emission spectra arising from the emission of a laser photon by two excited states of a three-level atom interacting with a laser field at low intensities. The lifetimes of the stimulated photons emitted by the two excited states are much longer than those emitted spontaneously, while the intensities of the induced peaks take negative values indicating that amplification occurs at low frequencies. The ratio of the intensities of the light emitted by the excited states |3 > and |2 > of the atom is proportional to (₃/₂)^1/2, where ₃ and ₂ are the radiative decay rates of the spontaneously emitted photons by the excited states |3 > and |2 > into the ground state |1 > of the atom, respectively. An absorption spectrum is induced into the ground state of the atom by the laser field. The competition between induced absorption and stimulated emission at low frequencies without population inversion is considered in the low-intensity limit of the laser field. It is shown that for values of ₃/₂ > 1 the relative intensity (height) of the induced peak takes positive values implying that the process of the induced absorption dominates. As the ratio ₃/₂ increases, the height of the induced peak decreases and vanishes for values of ₃/₂ < 400. For values of ₃/₂ > 400, the height of the induced peak becomes negative indicating that the process of the stimulated emission (amplification) is likely to occur at low frequencies. The computed spectra are graphically presented and discussed.Issued as NRCC No. 39088     

Temporal coherent control induced by wave packet interferences in one and two photon atomic transitions

The interaction of a sequence of two identical ultrashort laser pulses with an atomic system results in quantum interferences as in Ramsey fringes experiments. These interferences allow achievement of temporal coherent control of the excitation probability. We present the results of a temporal coherent control experiment on two different atomic systems: one-photon absorption in K (4s-4p) and two-photon absorption in Cs (6s-7d). In K, the quantum interferences between the two excitation paths associated with the laser pulses are revealed through rapid oscillations of the excitation probability as a function of the time delay between the two pulses. These oscillations take place at the transition frequency (period T = 2.56 fs). The interferences are modulated by beats (at about 580 fs) resulting from the doublet structure of the excited state (4p (² P _1/2 , ² P _3/2 )). Three complementary interpretations of this experiment are presented: in terms of beats of quantum interferences, of variation in the spectrum intensity, and of wave packet interferences. Whenever the two laser pulses are temporally overlapped, optical interferences are superimposed on to the quantum interferences. The distinction between these two types of interference is clearly revealed in the two-photon excitation scheme performed on Cs (6s-7d (² D _3/2 , ² D _5/2 )) because quantum interferences occur at twice the frequency of the optical interferences. Received: 30 December 1997 / Revised: 28 February 1998 / Accepted: 4 March 1998     

Effect of the initial phase of the field in ionization by ultrashort laser pulses

We report on observable new features related to ionization of atoms by laser pulses of only few cycles and some intensity. We show that for particular photo-electron energies, the angular distribution becomes asymmetric and that this asymmetry is related to the initial phase of the field. Received: 4 November 1997/Revised: 21 January 1998/Accepted: 23 February 1998     

Laser-induced breakdown of krypton near five-photon ionization threshold

Selective excitation of laser-induced breakdown in krypton in the pressure range 1–4 bar and the spectral range 420–620 nm at a laser intensity of 10¹¹ W/cm² has been studied. It is shown that the breakdown of krypton can be induced selectively due to resonantly enhanced multiphoton ionization via excited atomic states. A number of four- and five-photon atomic resonances have been identified in breakdown excitation spectra. The role of different factors determining the selectivity of the breakdown has been studied. Possible analytical applications of a selective breakdown are discussed.     

Multiphoton ionization of iodine atoms and CF<Subscript> 3</Subscript>I molecules by XeCl laser radiation

We report about effective ionization of iodine atoms and CF₃I molecules under the action of intense XeCl laser radiation (308 nm). The only ion fragment resulting from the irradiation of the CF₃I molecules is the I⁺ ion. We have studied the influence of the intensity, spectral composition, and polarization of the laser radiation used on the intensity of the ion signal and the shape of its time-of-flight peak. Based on the analysis of the results obtained, we have suggested the mechanism of this effect. The conclusion drawn is that the ionization of the iodine atoms by the ordinary XeCl laser with a nonselective cavity results from a three- (2 + 1)-photon REMPI process. This process is in turn due to the presence of accidental two-photon resonances between various spectral components of the laser radiation and the corresponding intermediate excited states of the iodine atom. The probability of ionization of the atoms from their ground state I(²P_3/2) by the radiation of the ordinary XeCl laser is more than two orders of magnitude higher than the probability of their ionization from the metastable state I^*(²P_1/2). The ionization of the CF₃I molecules by the XeCl laser radiation occurs as a result of a four-photon process involving the preliminary one-photon dissociation of these molecules and the subsequent (2 + 1)-photon REMPI of the resultant neutral iodine atoms.     

Thermal emission of electrons from highly excited sodium clusters

Positively charged sodium clusters can be easily ionized by a fs laser pulse of relatively low intensity (<10¹⁰ W/cm²), if the laser is in resonance with the plasmon excitation of the cluster. This ionization process was investigated in detail by measuring the kinetic energy distribution of electrons emitted from a size-selected Na₉₃ ⁺ as a function of the fs laser intensity. In all cases pure Boltzmann-like energy distributions were observed. A comparison with statistical theory shows that the emission is a purely thermal process. It is different to normal thermionic emission insofar as the electrons are emitted from a hot electron system which is only weakly coupled to a cold ionic background. The results demonstrate purely statistical behaviour of a small fermionic system even for very high excitation energy. Received: 25 May 2000 / Accepted: 6 November 2000 / Published online: 9 February 2001     

Isotope shifts and hyperfine structure in calcium 4snp and 4snf F Rydberg states

Isotope shifts and hyperfine structure have been measured in 4snp ¹ P₁ and Rydberg states for all stable calcium isotopes and the radioisotope ⁴¹Ca using high-resolution laser spectroscopy. Triple-resonance excitation via Rydberg state was followed by photoionization with a CO₂ laser and mass selective ion detection. Isotope shifts for the even-mass isotopes have been analyzed to derive specific mass shift and field shift factors. The apparent isotope shifts for ⁴¹Ca and ⁴³Ca exhibit anomalous values that are n-dependent. This is interpreted in terms of hyperfine-induced fine-structure mixing, which becomes very pronounced when singlet-triplet fine-structure splitting is comparable to the hyperfine interaction energy. Measurements of fine-structure splittings for the predominant isotope ⁴⁰Ca have been used as input parameters for theoretical calculation of the perturbed hyperfine structure. Results obtained by diagonalizing the second-order hyperfine interaction matrices agree very well with experimentally observed spectra. These measurements allow the evaluation of highly selective and sensitive methods for the detection of the rare ⁴¹Ca isotope. Received 17 December 1999 and Received in final form 29 March 2000