A continuously-tunable picosecond laser radiation source in the UV spectral region

We present the results of research on continuous tuning of a neodymium laser radiation frequency in the UV and vacuum ranges. We obtained generation of the total frequency of the waves of the second harmonic and of parametric light generator radiation in the UV region (338–366 nm). We investigate the optimum conditions for tuning UV radiation in the 113.5–117.0 nm range in the process of generation of the third harmonic in xenon and its mixtures with other gases. In the vacuum UV range investigated, an efficiency of generation of the third harmonic of ∼5·10⁻⁴ and a tuning range above 2600 cm⁻¹ are realized. Scientific Industrial Association “Akadempribor”, Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan, Akademgorodok, Tashkent, 700143, Uzbekistan. Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 64, No. 4, pp. 528–535, July–August, 1997.     

Generation of lower and higher harmonics in different plasma media with small <Emphasis Type="Italic">Z</Emphasis>

The generation of lower (third) and higher harmonics of femtosecond laser radiation in plasmas produced by laser ablation of different targets with a small atomic number Z (B, Be, Li) has been investigated. The high (10⁻³) efficiency of third-harmonic generation was observed in plasma produced on the boron surface. Efficient third-harmonic generation was also observed in beryllium plasma using femtosecond pulses of Ti:sapphire laser radiation (λ = 790 nm) and its second harmonic (395 nm). We could tune the higher harmonics generation spectrum by tuning the crystal converter when using 395-nm radiation to be converted. It is shown that, in plasmas formed on targets with small Z, the conversion efficiency and limiting generated harmonic order depend on the delay between the ablation pulse and the pulse to be converted.     

Compact all-solid-state continuous-wave single-frequency UV source with frequency stabilization for laser cooling of Be<Superscript>+</Superscript> ions

A compact setup for generation, frequency stabilization, and precision tuning of UV laser radiation at 313 nm was developed. The source is based on frequency quintupling of a C-band telecom laser at 1565 nm, amplified in a fiber amplifier. The maximum output power of the source at 313 nm is 100 mW. An additional feature of the source is the high-power output at the fundamental and the intermediate second- and third-harmonic wavelengths. The source was tested by demonstration of laser cooling of Be⁺ ions in an ion-trap apparatus. The output of the source at the third-harmonic wavelength (522 nm) was used for stabilization of the laser frequency to molecular iodine transitions. Sub-Doppler spectroscopy and frequency measurements of hyperfine transitions in molecular iodine were carried out in the range relevant for the Be⁺ laser cooling application.     

Generation of coherent tunable deep UV radiation for detection and absorption studies of explosives RDX and TNT

We report a technique for the efficient generation of tunable coherent deep UV radiation and its application in studies of RDX and TNT at the ppm level on the basis of their absorption characteristics. The obtained experimental absorption data are compared with conventional spectrophotometric data. The UV radiation in the range 200–260 nm has been generated by the type-I noncollinear third harmonic of the dye laser radiation (600–700 nm) and also by sum frequency mixing (SFM) of Nd:YAG output (1064 nm) with the second harmonic of the dye laser in β-barium borate (BBO) crystal. The maximum conversion efficiency of the generated signal is estimated to be 57.5% at λ = 218.9 nm wavelength. Apart from measurements of the absorbance of RDX and TNT at different concentrations in their respective solutions, the minimum detection concentrations have also been ascertained. The estimated minimum detectable concentration of RDX is 8.47·10⁻⁹ M, whereas that for TNT is 35.7·10⁻⁹ M. The data were obtained using only ∼100 μJ/pulse of laser energy. Published in Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 74, No. 6, pp. 516–521, July–August, 2007.     

Picosecond laser micromachining of nitinol and platinum–iridium alloy for coronary stent applications

The demand for micromachining of coronary stents by means of industrial lasers rises quickly for treating coronary artery diseases, which cause more than one million deaths each year. The most widely used types of laser for stent manufacturing are Nd:YAG laser systems with a wavelength of 1064 nm with pulse lengths of 10⁻³–10⁻² seconds. Considerable post-processing is required to remove heat-affected zones (HAZ), and to improve surface finishes and geometry. Using a third harmonic laser radiation of picosecond laser (6×10⁻¹² s pulse duration) in UV range, the capability of the picosecond laser micromachining of nitinol and platinum–iridium alloy for coronary stent applications are presented. In this study dross-free cut of nitinol and platinum–iridium alloy tubes are demonstrated and topography analysis of the cut surface is carried out. The HAZ characteristics have been investigated by means of microscopic examinations and measurement of micro-hardness distribution near the cut zones.     

Near IR laser light visualizators using nonlinear GaSe and other layered crystallites

Two methods of preparation of the devices for visualization of pulsed and continuous near-IR (near infrared) are described and the results of conversion of pulsed and continuous IR (800–1360 nm) laser radiation into the visible range of spectra (400–680 nm) by using a transparent substrate covered with the particles (including nanoparticles) of effective nonlinear materials of GaSe _x S_{1 − x} (0.2 ≤ x ≤ 0.8) are presented. Converted light can be detected in transmission or reflection geometry as a visible spot corresponding to the real size of the incident laser beam. Developed device structures can be used for checking if the laser is working or not, for optical adjustment, for visualization of distribution of laser radiation over the cross of the beam and for investigation of the content of the laser radiation. Low energy (power density) limit for visualization of the IR laser pulses with 2–3 ps duration for these device structures are: between 4.6–2.1 μJ (3 × 10⁻⁴−1 × 10⁻⁴ W/cm²) at 1200 nm; between 8.4–2.6 μJ (4.7 × 10⁻⁴−1.5 × 10⁻⁴ W/cm²) at 1300 nm; between 14.4–8.1 μJ (8.2 × 10⁻⁴–4.6 × 10⁻⁴ W/cm²) at 1360 nm. Threshold damage density is more than 10 MW/cm² at λ = 1060 nm, pulse duration τ = 35 ps. The results are compared with commercially existing laser light visualizators.     

Laser fabrication of periodic microstructures from silver nanoparticles in polymer films

The fabrication of photoand thermostable periodic structures from silver nanoparticles in polymer plates (cross-linked oligourethanemethacrylate impregnated with silver precursors Ag(hfac) and Ag(fod) dissolved in the supercritical carbon dioxide) is studied. The process is based on the local (depending on the irradiated spot size) photochemical decomposition of the silver precursors in the polymer matrix that initiates the atomic aggregation and creation of silver nanoparticles with the plasmon resonance in absorption in the spectral range 420–430 nm. The third-harmonic radiation of a Nd:YAG laser (355 nm) and the Kr⁺-laser (521 nm) radiation are employed for the recording of periodic structures with submillimeter and micron resolutions. The photosensitivity of the polymer matrices impregnated with the silver precursors to the UV and visible radiation is discussed.     

Kinetics of the photoconductivity and absorption in the D −(A +) bands in doped silicon

The photoconductivity (PC) spectra and the induced absorption of background radiation in the energy range 10–40 meV are investigated in weakly compensated B-, Ga-, and As-doped silicon at 4.2 K. It is shown that dips corresponding to the photoionization of long-lived excited states of B and As are observed in the PC spectra on the D ⁻(A ⁺) bands. It is found that the frequency dependence of the PC spectra corresponds to excitation relaxation times of the order of 10⁻⁴ s for the states in the D ⁻ (A ⁺) bands. It is established that in electric fields E>100 V/cm the PC decreases sharply, while the induced absorption of the background radiation changes very little. This confirms the conclusion that the excitation of the D ⁻ (A ⁺) itself makes the main contribution to the PC. Pis’ma Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 66, No. 4, 224–227 (25 August 1997)     

Enhanced harmonic generation in C60-containing plasma plumes

The results of enhanced harmonic generation in fullerene-containing plasma plumes using laser radiation of different wavelengths, pulse durations, and phase modulation are presented. Odd and even harmonics up to the 29^th order of 800 nm radiation have been extended in the case of two-color orthogonal polarization pump of C₆₀-containing plasma plumes. The conversion efficiency for the odd and even harmonics in the vicinity of SPR of the C₆₀-containing plasma (40–70 nm) was estimated to be in the range of 10⁻⁴.     

Optical nonlinearities in hyperbranched polyyne studied by?two-photon excited fluorescence and third-harmonic generation spectroscopy

The nonlinear optical properties of a hyperbranched polyyne (hb-Polyyne) have been measured at infrared wavelengths by using femtosecond and nanosecond pulsed excitation. This hyperbranched polyyne exhibited strong and intrinsic (simultaneous) two-photon absorption and upconverted blue fluorescent emission under femtosecond excitation around 800 nm. The hb-Polyyne in chloroform solution is characterized by a large two-photon absorption cross section of 9068 GM (1GM=10⁻⁵⁰ cm⁴ s) and a fluorescence quantum yield of 0.57. On the other hand, by third-harmonic generation (THG) spectroscopy with nanosecond excitation, the measured third-order nonlinear susceptibility χ ⁽³⁾ for solid films of hb-Polyyne ranged from 2.4×10⁻¹¹ to 6.1×10⁻¹¹ esu in the spectral range of 1100–1600 nm, with results comparable to the values exhibited by the well-known conjugated polymer MEH:PPV, but with a much better transparency for visible wavelengths.     

Optical characteristics of the steady-state plasma of a longitudinal discharge in a He/CFC-12 mixture

The emission from the plasma of a contracted longitudinal dc discharge in a He/CF₂Cl₂ mixture in the wavelength range 130–300 nm is investigated. It is shown that the discharge plasma emits within the range 150–260 nm. The emission consists mainly of the broad bands of Cl₂ molecules and single-charged chlorine ions. The pressure and composition of the working mixtures, the discharge current, and the time during which the emitter can operate on a single gas fill are optimized to attain the best characteristics of UV and VUV radiation. The results obtained are of interest for developing a steady-state source of VUV and UV radiation to be applied in microelectronics, photochemistry, and medicine.     

On the effect of ultraviolet radiation on water vapor absorption of submillimeter waves

The submillimeter absorption spectra of pure water vapor and a water vapor + dry air mixture are experimentally studied under the conditions of illumination of the gas sample by ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The measurements were carried out by a vacuum echelette spectrometer in the wave number range 21.5–56 cm⁻¹ with spectral resolution 0.4–0.9 cm⁻¹, using a DRT-375 mercury-vapor discharge lamp as the source of UV radiation. In contrast to the results of similar experiments performed by other researchers, the data presented here demonstrate the absence of a noticeable effect of the UV radiation on the absorption spectra of the gas samples used. Radiophysical Research Institute, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Radiofizika, Vol. 41, No. 5, pp. 581–587, May, 1998.     

Time-Resolved Vacuum Ultraviolet Spectroscopy of Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript> Ions in the SrF<Subscript>2</Subscript> Crystal

The photoluminescence and photoexcitation spectra as well as the luminescence decay kinetics of Er³⁺ ions in the visible ultraviolet and vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) regions have been studied by the method of low-temperature, time-resolved VUV-spectroscopy on excitation by synchrotron radiation. In the VUV spectral region of the luminescence of SrF₂:1% Er³⁺, the 146.5-nm band with a time of decay of less than 0.6 nsec was revealed together with the well-known emission band at 164.3 nm (decay constant in the microsecond range). Its possible nature is discussed. The specific features of the formation of photoexcitation spectra of the f-f and f-d transitions in the Er³⁺ ion are considered. Competition between the processes of excitation of f-f and d-f luminescence has been revealed. It manifests itself in the inverse relationship of their photoexcitation spectra in a range of energies of incident photons that are close to the position of the 4fⁿ⁻¹5d configuration levels. __________ Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 72, No. 4, pp. 519–523, July–August, 2005.     

Generation of the third harmonic in fullerene-containing polyimide films by picosecond radiation of the Nd: YAG laser

The results of the studies on the transformation of the frequency of laser radiation in polyimide films doped by C₇₀ are presented. The nonlinear susceptibility (χ⁽³⁾) of polyimide 6B films with various concentrations of C₇₀ is studied by third-harmonic generation. At a wavelength of 1064 nm, the value of χ⁽³⁾(−3ω; ω, ω, ω) is 9×10⁻¹³ esu. The effect of the nonlinear variation in the refractive index of the fullerene-containing films on the phase matching between the pumping and third-harmonic waves is analyzed. The third harmonic of the Nd: YAG laser radiation was generated with the efficiencies 6×10⁻⁶ and 10⁻⁶ in the films with the C₇₀ concentration of 0.5 and 0.2%, respectively.     

Nature of low-energy excitations in La<Subscript>1.87</Subscript>Sr<Subscript>0.13</Subscript>CuO<Subscript>4</Subscript> superconducting cuprate

The spectra of the conductivity and dielectric constant of La_1.87Sr_0.13CuO₄ cuprate have been directly measured in the frequency range of 0.3 to 1.2 THz (10–40 cm⁻¹) and the temperature range of 5 to 300 K in the E | c polarization (the electric field vector of radiation is perpendicular to the copper-oxygen planes). Excitation has been observed in the superconducting phase, and its nature has been attributed to the transverse optical excitation of the condensate of Cooper pairs, which appears because Josephson junctions between CuO planes are modulated due to in-plane magnetic and charge stripes. Additional quasiparticle absorption of unknown origin has been detected at frequencies below ≈15 cm⁻¹ at liquid helium temperatures.     

Relaxation and shift of the precession frequency of the spin of a negative muon in n-type silicon

The residual polarization of negative muons in n-type silicon with impurity density (1.6±0.2) · 10¹³ cm⁻³ is investigated as a function of temperature in the range 10–300 K. The measurements are performed in an external magnetic field of 0.08 T oriented transversely to the spin of the muons. Relaxation of the muon spin and a shift of the precession frequency are observed at temperatures below 30 K. The relaxation rate at 30 K equals 0.25±0.08 μs⁻¹. The shift of the precession frequency at 20 K equals 7 · 10⁻³. Both the relaxation rate and the shift of the precession frequency increase as the temperature decreases. At temperatures below 30 K the relaxation rate is described well by the relation Λ=bT ^−q , where q=2.8±0.2. Pis’ma Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 63, No. 7, 539–543 (10 April 1996)     

Generation of coherent radiation at 89.6 nm through two-photon resonant phase-matched tripling of fourth-harmonic Nd: Glass laser radiation in Hg vapors

Coherent radiation at 89.6 nm has been obtained through third-harmonic conversion of the 268.8 nm pulses in mercury vapors. Tunability of the fourth-harmonic frequency of the Nd: glass laser radiation to the 6s ¹ S ₀–8s ¹ S ₀ double quantum resonance of Hg atoms has been used for the resonant enhancement of the twelfth-harmonic output. Possibility to phase match the generated radiation and driving polarisation in pure vapors without employing of bufer gas has been demonstrated.     

Effect of alkali-metal doping on photoluminescence of CdS films

It is established that doping of CdS polycrystalline films with alkaline metals (Li, Na, K, Cs) results in an increase of luminescence intensity by 3–5 times compared with pure films. This increase is accounted for by the placement of alkaline-metal ions in V _Cd ²⁻ cation vacancies, which are nonradiative recombination centers in these films. From the dependences of the luminsecence intensity of the doped films on the synthesis conditions (deposition temperature, concentration of doping impurities, type of doping metal), the parameters that ensure the maximum luminescence intensity of the films are determined as T_dep ≈ 450°C and C_Me = 1·10⁻⁵ at %. The luminescence intensity decreases by 1–3% upon exposure of the films to UV light (λ_max = 365 nm, I = 10²¹ quanta·sec·cm⁻¹) for several hours. This is indicative of the stability of these films against UV radiation. __________ Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii Vol. 74, No. 3, pp. 362–366, May–June, 2007.     

First experiments on field photodesorption IR spectroscopy

The ion current of adsorbed water molecules is studied experimentally as a function of the frequency of near-IR radiation incident on a surface at frequencies in the intrinsic vibrational bands of the water molecule. The ions are produced by nonequilibrium field surface ionization. The observed band (near one of the combination frequencies) has a width of 100 cm⁻¹ and is shifted relative to the free molecular band by 130 cm⁻¹. Estimates show that the cross section for absorption of the radiation by the adsorbed molecules is 3–4 orders of magnitude larger than for free molecules, as is typical of surface processes. Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 69, 123–127 (September 1999)     

Multiphonon absorption in a MgO single crystal in the terahertz range

The reflection and transmission spectra of a MgO single crystal at frequencies of 10–1000 cm⁻¹ in the temperature range 10–300 K have been measured using submillimeter and infrared Fourier spectros-copy. The evolution of anharmonic absorption with variations in temperature has been investigated in the frequency range below the frequency of the transverse optical phonon. The parameters of the dispersion model that adequately describes the lattice absorption of terahertz radiation in single-crystal magnesium oxide have been determined.