Two kinds of novel birefringent dual-frequency lasers

Two kinds of novel dual-frequency He–Ne lasers are presented and described in this paper based on the birefringent laser frequency splitting technology: the full-inner cavity photoelastic dual-frequency laser and the half-inner cavity photoelastic dual-frequency laser. The frequency difference between the two kinds of dual-frequency laser can be adjusted from tens to hundreds of megahertz through adjusting the mechanical pressure exerted on the photoelastic element. The stability of the frequency differences of the two lasers are 10⁻³ and 10⁻⁵, respectively, after the lasers are turned on for a while.     

Principles and realization of a novel instrument for high performance displacement measurement—nanometer laser ruler

This paper introduces a novel instrument for displacement measurement—a nanometer laser ruler, in which some special concepts of laser physics are utilized, such as orthogonal polarization of laser modes, mode competition, power tuning and the law that changes of λ/2 in cavity length means the variation of one longitudinal mode spacing in frequency. Besides having a simple structure, the ruler has high resolution (79 nm), large measuring range (12 mm), and excellent linearity (5×10⁻⁵). The laser is the ruler itself. It can be applied to various fields. The way to implement the ruler is also introduced. In the end, some errors of the ruler are discussed.     

NOx generation in laser-produced plasma in air as a function of dissipated energy

An experimental study on the production of NO_x as a function of dissipated energy in laser-produced plasma in air is presented. A plasma was produced by focusing a (60–180) mJ, 5 ns, 532 nm pulse from a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. The results show that for laser energy in the range of 13–99 mJ the laser plasma generates 6.7×10¹⁶ NO_x molecules per joule and 4.6×10¹⁶ NO molecules per joule. An order of magnitude estimate of the NO and NO_x production per unit volume of heated gas based on a simple model show that the NO_x and NO production efficiency in air are about 3×10²² and 2×10²² molecules J⁻¹ m⁻³.     

Measurement of thickness of a thin film by means of laser interference at many incident angles

An optical method for directly measuring the thickness of a thin transparent film has been proposed by means of multi-wave laser interference at many incident angles, and confirmed experimentally by means of equipment made on an experimental basis. Two methods are available: one can be used when an index of refraction of the film, a wavelength λ, and two successive angles of incidence at which the sinusoidal light intensity has minimum values, are known (Method I), and another can be used without an index of film refraction when three successive angles of incidence and a wavelength are known (Method II). The smallest measurable thickness is 1.43λ for Method I, and 2.5λ for Method II. The largest measurable thickness is about 100λ for both methods. The measurement error by means of numerical calculation is Δh/h−1.01×10⁻², and that obtained experimentally with an angular resolution of incident light of 0.3° is Δh/h7×10⁻² for Method I. The refractive index can also be measured by means of Method II.     

Lasing characteristics of Rhodamine B and Rhodamine 6G as a sensitizer in sol–gel silica

We report lasing characteristics of Rhodamine B (Rh. B) in sol–gel silica under excitation with frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser and sensitization with Rhodamine 6G (Rh. 6G). The principle of radiative energy transfer (from Rh. 6G to Rh. B) has been utilized as a longitudinally Rh. 6G laser (at 585 nm)-pumped Rh. B laser process in the same sample. Rh. B offers a high photostable and efficient laser dye in sol–gel silica sensitized with Rh. 6G; 75,000 shots as a laser half-lifetime of the sample and 24% efficiency at pumping intensity 0.1 J/cm² of 532 nm. Wavelength shift occurs from 606 to 630 nm in the Rh. B laser with increasing its concentration from 1×10⁻⁴ to 8×10⁻⁴ M. The measured optical gain for Rh. B sensitized with Rh. 6G in sol–gel silica is higher than that in ethanol. A new effect has been observed; at 1×10⁻⁴ M of Rh. B and 0.5×10⁻⁴ M of Rh. 6G mixture, the emitted color of laser is changed by changing the pump intensity of frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser.     

Elementary reactions of formyl (HCO) radical studied by laser photolysis—transient absorption spectroscopy

Several elementary reactions of formyl radical of combustion importance were studied using pulsed laser photolysis coupled to transient UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy: HCO → H + CO (1), HCO + HCO → products (2), and HCO + CH₃ → products (3). One-pass UV absorption, multi-pass UV absorption as well as cavity ring-down spectroscopy in the red spectral region were used to monitor temporal profiles of HCO radical. Reaction (1) was studied over the buffer gas (He) pressure range 0.8–100 bar and the temperature range 498–769 K. Reactions (2a), (2b), (2c), (3a) and (3b) as well as the UV absorption spectrum of HCO, were studied at 298 and 588 K, and the buffer gas (He) pressure of 1 bar. Pulsed laser photolysis (308, 320, and 193 nm) of acetaldehyde, propionaldehyde, and acetone was used to prepare mixtures of free radicals. The second-order rate constant of reaction (1) obtained from the data at 1 bar is: k₁(He) = (0.8 ± 0.4) × 10⁻¹⁰exp(−(66.0 ± 3.4) kJ mol⁻¹/RT) cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹. The HCO dissociation rate constants measured in this work are lower than those reported in the previous direct work. The difference is a factor of 2.2 at the highest temperature of the experiments and a factor of 3.5 at the low end. The experimental data indicate pressure dependence of the rate constant of dissociation of formyl radical 1, which was attributed to the early pressure fall-off expected based on the theory of isolated resonances. The UV absorption spectrum of HCO was revised. The maximum absorption cross-section of HCO is (7.3 ± 1.2) × 10⁻¹⁸ cm² molecule⁻¹ at 230 nm (temperature independent within the experimental error). The measured rate constants for reactions (2a), (2b), (2c), (3a) and (3b) are: k₂ = (3.6 ± 0.8) × 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ (298 K); k₃ = (9.3 ± 2.3) × 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹(298 and 588 K).     

Rashba polarization in HgCdTe inversion layers at large depletion charges

The Rashba effect in metal–insulator–semiconductor (MIS) structures based on zero-gap HgCdTe is investigated experimentally and theoretically over a wide doping range N_A–N_D=3×10¹⁵–3×10¹⁸ cm⁻³. Increase of doping enlarges the magnitude of the effect at the same 2D concentration and strengthens a gate-voltage dependence of the Rashba splitting. The results demonstrate values of Rashba polarization as high as P_R0.5 and a capability to control the Rashba effect strength at constant electron concentration.     

Rotational absorption spectrum of methylene fluoride in the 20–100 cm region

The pure rotational spectrum of CH₂F₂ was recorded in the 20–100 cm⁻¹ spectral range and analyzed to obtain rotation and centrifugal distortion constants. Analysis of the data yielded rotation constants: A = 1.6392173 ± 0.0000015, B = 0.3537342 ± 0.00000033, C = 0.3085387 ± 0.00000027, τ_aaaa = −(7.64 ± 0.46) × 10⁻⁵, τ_bbbb = −(2.076 ± 0.016) × 10⁻⁶, τ_cccc = −(9.29 ± 0.12) × 10⁻⁷, T₁ = (4.89 ± 0.20) × 10⁻⁶, and T₂ = −(1.281 ± 0.016) × 10⁻⁶cm⁻¹.     

Effect of oxygen partial pressure on the structural and optical properties of dc reactive magnetron sputtered molybdenum oxide films

Molybdenum oxide films (MoO₃) were deposited on glass and crystalline silicon substrates by sputtering of molybdenum target under various oxygen partial pressures in the range 8 × 10⁻⁵–8 × 10⁻⁴ mbar and at a fixed substrate temperature of 473 K employing dc magnetron sputtering technique. The influence of oxygen partial pressure on the composition stoichiometry, chemical binding configuration, crystallographic structure and electrical and optical properties was systematically studied. X-ray photoelectron spectra of the films formed at 8 × 10⁻⁵ mbar showed the presence of Mo⁶⁺ and Mo⁵⁺ oxidation states of MoO₃ and MoO_3−x. The films deposited at oxygen partial pressure of 2 × 10⁻⁴ mbar showed Mo⁶⁺ oxidation state indicating the films were nearly stoichiometric. It was also confirmed by the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic studies. X-ray diffraction studies revealed that the films formed at oxygen partial pressure of 2 × 10⁻⁴ mbar showed the presence of (0 k 0) reflections indicated the layered structure of α-phase MoO₃. The electrical conductivity of the films decreased from 3.6 × 10⁻⁵ to 1.6 × 10⁻⁶ Ω⁻¹ cm⁻¹, the optical band gap of the films increased from 2.93 to 3.26 eV and the refractive index increased from 2.02 to 2.13 with the increase of oxygen partial pressure from 8 × 10⁻⁵ to 8 × 10⁻⁴ mbar, respectively.     

Polarization spectroscopy of ion-pair states of ICl

Molecular constants for the E0⁺(³P₂) and 1(³P₂) ion-pair states of ICl vapor have been determined using sequential two-photon polarization-labeling spectroscopy. The two states are coupled by a heterogeneous perturbation which is analyzed in some detail for low-lying vibrational levels of 1(³P₂). The I³⁵Cl potential constants for the 1(³P₂) state and the rotation-vibration constants for the set of f sublevels—i.e., the constants unaffected by coupling with the E state—are (in cm⁻¹) 1(³P₂): Y_0,0= 39103.814(32), Y_1,0= 170.213(15), Y_2,0= −0.4528(22), Y_3,0= −7.0(12) × 10⁻⁴, Y_4,0= −1.48(24) × 10⁻⁵ and Y_5,0= −6.6(19) × 10⁻⁸, Y^(f)_0,1= 5.6878(17) × 10⁻² Y^(f)_1,1= −2.110(24) × 10⁻⁴, Y^(f)_2,1= −1.23(62) × 10⁻⁷, and Y^(f)_0,1= −3.08(22) × 10⁻⁸Likewise, the I³⁵Cl constants determined for the E 0⁺(³P₂) state are E 0⁺(³P₂: Y_0,0= 39054.38(61), Y_1,0= 166.96(10), Y_2,0 = −0.3995(42), Y_0,1= 5.738(31) × 10⁻², and Y_1,1= −1.67(26) × 10⁻⁴Practical constraints in pumping the sequence E 0⁺ ← B 0⁺ ← × 0⁺ restrict the analysis of the E state to levels v = 9–15. Given the long extrapolation to the equilibrium state the 3σ statistical uncertainties quoted for these constants should be treated with caution.     

Compositionally asymmetrical multiquantum wells: “Pseudo-molecules” for giant optical nonlinearities in the infrared (9–11 μm)

Intersubband transitions in quantum well have extremely large oscillator strengths and induce strong nonlinear effects in structures where inversion symmetry is broken, realized by growing AlGaAs quantum wells with asymmetrical A1 gradients. These compositionally asymmetrical multiquantum wells may thus be viewed as giant “quasimolecules” optimized for optimal nonlinearities in the mid infrared. Optical rectification as well as second harmonic generation have been measured in those structures using a continuous CO₂ laser. At 10.6 μm the nonlinear coefficients are more than 3 orders of magnitude higher in these samples than for bulk GaAs (i.e. χ₀⁽²⁾ = 5.3 × 10⁻⁶m/V, χ_2ω⁽²⁾ = 7.2 × 10⁻⁷ m/V) and are in good agreement with theoretical predictions. We present more complex “pseudo-molecules” involving weakly coupled quantum wells. The optical rectification effects in these devices are so large χ₀⁽²⁾ = 1.6 × 10⁻³ m/V) that application to infrared detection may be envisioned.     

Theoretical investigations of spin splittings in asymmetric AlSb/InAs/GaSb heterostructures and the possibility of electric field induced magnetization

We use the effective bond orbital model method to examine the spin splitting due to the Rashba effect in AlSb/InAs/GaSb asymmetric heterostructures. We find for the resulting two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) under study that large theoretical values of the Bychkov–Rashba coefficients in the range of 30 × 10 ^{− 10}to 50 × 10 ^{− 10}eV · cm can be achieved. Finally, we present a phenomenon that might lead to a direct observation of the Rashba effect. We derive an expression, valid in the diffusive limit, for the spin polarization of the current resulting from a bias parallel to the plane of the quantum well.     

A new coumarin laser dye 3-(benzothiazol-2-yl)-7-hydroxycoumarin

The electronic absorption, and emission spectra as well as fluorescence quantum yield of 3-(benzothiazol-2-yl)-7-hydroxycoumarin (BTHC) were measured in different solvents and are affected by solvent polarity (Δf). The deprotonation of BTHC by triethylamine is a reversible process. BTHC is relatively photostable, the quantum yield of photodecomposition (φ_c) was found to be 2×10⁻⁴ and 2.7×10⁻⁴ in EtOH and DMF, respectively. The fluorescence lifetimes of BTHC were measured in the absence and in the presence of molecular oxygen and were found to be 2.82 and 2.78 ns, respectively. BTHC acts as good laser dye upon pumping with nitrogen laser (λ_ex=337.1 nm) in ethanol and gives laser emission with maxima at 508 and 522 nm.     

Waveguide and diode heterodyne measurements with CO2 laser and assignment of the CW FIR laser emission of OCS

Heterodyne spectra of carbonyl sulfide have been obtained with saturation in a CO₂ waveguide laser and without saturation with a diode laser. The absolute uncertainties of the measured positions lie between 10⁻⁴ and 7 × 10⁻⁶ cm⁻¹. The CW submillimeter laser line of OCS at 378 μm has been assigned to the J = 65 → 64 transition in the 02²0e state of ¹⁶O¹²C³²S, with a pumping through the R(64) line of 02²0e ← 00⁰0, a Δ-Σ transition weakly allowed by the l-type resonance.     

Exceptional sensitivity to neutrino parameters with a two-baseline Beta-beam set-up

We examine the reach of a Beta-beam experiment with two detectors at carefully chosen baselines for exploring neutrino mass parameters. Locating the source at CERN, the two detectors and baselines are: (a) a 50 kton iron calorimeter (ICAL) at a baseline of around 7150 km which is roughly the magic baseline, e.g., ICAL@INO, and (b) a 50 kton Totally Active Scintillator Detector at a distance of 730 km, e.g., at Gran Sasso. We choose ⁸B and ⁸Li source ions with a boost factor γ of 650 for the magic baseline while for the closer detector we consider ¹⁸Ne and ⁶He ions with a range of Lorentz boosts. We find that the locations of the two detectors complement each other leading to an exceptional high sensitivity. With γ=650 for ⁸B/⁸Li and γ=575 for ¹⁸Ne/⁶He and total luminosity corresponding to 5×(1.1×10¹⁸) and 5×(2.9×10¹⁸) useful ion decays in neutrino and antineutrino modes respectively, we find that the two-detector set-up can probe maximal CP violation and establish the neutrino mass ordering if sin²2θ₁₃ is 1.4×10⁻⁴ and 2.7×10⁻⁴, respectively, or more. The sensitivity reach for sin²2θ₁₃ itself is 5.5×10⁻⁴. With a factor of 10 higher luminosity, the corresponding sin²2θ₁₃ reach of this set-up would be 1.8×10⁻⁵, 4.6×10⁻⁵ and 5.3×10⁻⁵ respectively for the above three performance indicators. CP violation can be discovered for 64% of the possible δ_CP values for sin²2θ₁₃10⁻³ (8×10⁻⁵), for the standard luminosity (10 times enhanced luminosity). Comparable physics performance can be achieved in a set-up where data from CERN to INO@ICAL is combined with that from CERN to the Boulby mine in United Kingdom, a baseline of 1050 km.     

Collective excitations in low-density 2D electron systems

We report the observation of sharp plasmon and magnetoplasmon modes in ultra-low-density 2D electron systems. Well defined dispersions for the modes are observed at densities as low as 1.1×10⁹ cm⁻² and with excitation wave vectors as large as 1.2×10⁵ cm⁻¹. Interestingly, both modes are found to be more easily measured in low-density systems than in high-density systems. The strength of the light scattering cross-sections at low density suggests potential applications to the study of quantum phase transitions at large r_s.     

Analysis of the 2ν3 band of CD3F at 5.06 μm recorded under high resolution

The 2ν₃(A₁) band of ¹²CD₃F near 5.06 μm has been recorded with a resolution of 20–24 × 10⁻³ cm⁻¹. The value of the parameter (α^B − α^A) for this band was found to be very small and, therefore, the K structure of the R(J) and P(J) manifolds was unresolved for J < 15 and only partially resolved for larger J values. The band was analyzed using standard techniques and values for the following constants determined: ν₀ = 1977.178(3) cm⁻¹, B″ = 0.68216(9) cm⁻¹, D″_J = 1.10(30) × 10⁻⁶ cm⁻¹, α^B = (B″ − B′) = 3.086(7) × 10⁻³ cm⁻¹, and β^J = (D″_J − D′_J) = −3.24(11) × 10⁻⁷ cm⁻¹. A value of α^A = (A″ − A′) = 2.90(5) × 10⁻³ cm⁻¹ has been obtained through band contour simulations of the R(J) and P(J) multiplets.     

Carrier-induced ferromagnetic order in the narrow gap III–V magnetic alloy semiconductor (In,Mn)Sb

Preparation and physical properties of p- and n-InMnSb epitaxial films with Mn contents up to 10% were studied with the aim of seeking phenomena induced by the spin exchange interaction between carrier and Mn spins. For p-type samples with Mn_eff=4.5×10²⁰ and p=1.1×10²⁰ cm⁻³, carrier-induced ferromagnetic order with a Curie temperature of 20 K was observed. The sign of the anomalous Hall coefficient is found to be negative. Tellurium-doped n-type samples (n=8.6×10¹⁸ cm⁻³) with net Mn contents of 10% are found to be paramagnetic.     

Electron stimulated desorption of CO from

The electron impact behavior of CO adsorbed on was investigated. The desorption products observed were neutral CO, CO⁺, and O⁺. After massive electron impact residual carbon, C/W = 0.15, but not oxygen was also found, suggesting that energetic neutral O, not detected in a mass analyzer must also have been formed. Formation of β-CO, i.e., dissociated CO with C and O on the surface was not seen. The total disappearance cross section varies only slightly with coverage, ranging from 9 × 10 ⁻¹⁸ cm² at low to 5 × 10⁻¹⁸ cm² at saturation (CO/W = 0.75). The cross section for CO⁺ formation varies from 4 × 10⁻²² cm² at satura to 2 × 10⁻²¹ cm² at low coverage. That for O⁺ formation is 1.4 × 10⁻²² cm² at saturation and 2 × 10⁻²¹ cm² Threshold energies are similar to those found previously [J.C. Lin and R. Gomer, Surf. Sci. 218 (1989) 406] for and CO/Cu₁/W(110) which suggests similar mechanisms for product formation, with the exception of β-CO on clean W(110). It is argued that the absence or presence of β-CO in ESD hinges on its formation or absence in thermal desorption, since electron impact is likely to present the surface with vibrationally and rotationally activated CO in all cases; β-CO formation only occurs on surfaces which can dissociate such CO. It was also found that ESD of CO led to a work function increase of the remaining Pd₁/W(110) surface of 500 meV, which could be annealed out only at 900 K. This is attributed to surface roughness, caused by recoil momentum of energetic desorbing entities.     

Fourier Transform Spectroscopy of theYΣ–XΠiTransition of CuO

TheY²Σ⁺–X²Π_inear-infrared electronic transition of CuO was observed at high resolution for the first time. The spectrum was recorded with the Fourier transform spectrometer associated with the McMath–Pierce Solar Telescope at Kitt Peak. The excited CuO molecules were produced in a low pressure copper hollow cathode sputter with a slow flow of oxygen. Constants for theY²Σ⁺states of CuO are:T₀= 7715.47765(54) cm⁻¹,B= 0.4735780(28) cm⁻¹,D= 0.822(12) × 10⁻⁶cm⁻¹,H= 0.46(10) × 10⁻¹⁰cm⁻¹, γ = −0.089587(42) cm⁻¹, γ_D= 0.1272(79) × 10⁻⁶cm⁻¹,b_F= 0.12347(22) cm⁻¹, andc= 0.0550(74) cm⁻¹. ImprovedX²Π_iconstants are also presented.