锶原子光晶格钟自旋极化谱线的探测

87Sr原子存在核自旋,在磁场作用下原子能级会分裂成不同塞曼子能级.通过光抽运对原子进行自旋极化,其自旋极化谱线的探测为锶光钟系统的闭环锁定提供精确的频率参考.本文对~(87)Sr原子钟跃迁能级5s~2~1S_0→5s5p~3P_0中的m_F=+9/2和m_F=-9/2的塞曼磁子能级自旋极化谱线进行了探测.经过一级宽带冷却和二级窄线宽冷却与俘获后,锶冷原子温度为3.9μK,原子数目为3.5×10~6.利用邻近"魔术波长"的813.426 nm半导体激光光源实现水平方向的一维光晶格装载.采用归一化探测方法用线宽为Hz量级的698 nm钟激光对~1S_0→~3P_0偶极禁戒跃迁进行探测,在150 ms的探测时间下获得线宽为6.7 Hz的钟跃迁简并谱.在磁光阱竖直方向施加一个300 mGs的偏置磁场获得塞曼分裂谱,并通过689 nm的圆偏振自旋极化光进行光抽运,最终在探测时间为150 ms时,获得左右旋极化谱线线宽分别为6.2 Hz和6.8 Hz.     

Infrared two-photon-excited visible lasing from a DNA-surfactant-chromophore complex

Infrared two-photon-pumped and cavity-enhanced frequency upconversion lasing has been achieved in a novel DNA-surfactant-chromophore complex (DSCC) gel system, which is a new step toward producing a biological laser. Once the focused intensity of the 150 fs and approximately 775 nm pump laser beam is higher than a certain threshold level, highly directional stimulated emission at approximately 582 nm wavelength can be observed from a 1 cm long DSCC complex gel cell. With cavity feedback provided by the two optical windows, the pump threshold can be further reduced, the highly directional output lasing can be greatly enhanced, and the output spectral linewidth can be reduced to less than 1/5 of the spontaneous fluorescence spectral bandwidth.     

双光反馈半导体激光混沌系统中外腔延时反馈特征的抑制

在一个双光反馈半导体激光混沌系统中,固定其中一个反馈腔镜(固定腔M₁)的反馈延迟时间以及反馈强度,实验研究了另一个反馈腔镜(可变腔M₂)的反馈延迟时间以及反馈强度对系统混沌输出的延时反馈特征的影响.研究结果表明:在可变腔M₂与固定腔M₁的反馈强度相等的条件下,改变M₂的腔长,当其腔长约等于(但不能严格等于)M₁的腔长或者腔长的一半时,系统将呈现较好地抑制延时反馈特征效果;当M 关键词： 半导体激光器 双光反馈 混沌输出 延时特征     

Phase-locked laser system for a metastable states qubit in 40 Ca+

We describe the development of a phase-locked laser system tailored to an ion-trap-based quantum information processor with (40)Ca(+). Laser outputs from an extended cavity diode laser and a Ti:sapphire laser with output laser wavelengths of approximately 850 and 854 nm, respectively, were phase locked and used to excite a Raman transition between the D(3/2) and D(5/2) metastable states qubit. Development and the performance of the laser system are described. We also compare the characteristics and the benefits of the developed qubit coupling with those in the conventional approaches.     

High-resolution laser spectroscopy of ultracold ytterbium atoms using spin-forbidden electric quadrupole transition

We have successfully observed high-resolution spectra of spin-forbidden electric quadrupole transition (¹ S ₀→³ D ₂) in ytterbium (¹⁷⁴Yb) atoms. The differential light shifts between the ¹ S ₀ and the ³ D ₂ states in a far-off resonant trap at 532 nm are also measured. For the spectroscopy, we developed simple, narrow-linewidth, and long-term frequency stabilized violet diode laser systems. Long-term drifts of the excitation laser (404 nm) is suppressed by locking the laser to a length stabilized optical cavity. The optical path length of the cavity is stabilized to another diode laser whose frequency is locked to a strong ¹ S ₀→¹ P ₁ transition (399 nm) of Yb. Both lasers are standard extended-cavity diode lasers (ECDLs) in the Littrow configuration. Since the linewidth of a violet ECDL (～10 MHz) is broader than a typical value of a red or near infra-red ECDL (<1 MHz), we employ optical feedback from a narrow-band Fabry–Perot cavity to reduce the linewidth. The linewidth is expected to be <20 kHz for 1 ms averaging time, and the long-term frequency stability is estimated to be ～200 kHz/h.     

Quasi-common-path microchip laser feedback interferometry with a high stability and accuracy

We report on an improved scheme of quasi-common-path microchip laser feedback interferometry, which demonstrates a high stability and accuracy. An additional beam splitter is used to divide the external cavity into a measuring feedback cavity and a reference feedback cavity. With this scheme, the optical path lengths of the measuring and reference feedback light can be made nearly the same, thus greatly reducing the long-period phase fluctuation caused by the laser frequency drift. The final system performances are evaluated as followed: the short-term displacement resolution is better than 2 nm, the output fluctuation is less than 10 nm within a 40-min-long stability test, and the maximum error within the 100-μm range is 25 nm when calibrated with the Agilent 5529A dual-frequency laser interferometer.     

用于互组跃迁谱测量的窄线宽激光系统

采用Pound-Drerer-Hall稳频技术将689 nm激光锁定在高精细度超稳极低膨胀系数材料腔上,实现用于探测锶原子互组跃迁谱的窄线宽激光.利用光腔衰荡光谱技术,测量了不同阶次多横模情况下腔的精细度,并在理论上分析了平凹型Fabry-Perot腔的损耗与多横模阶次的关系.考虑了光开关延时及探测器响应时间在测量中的影响,对腔衰荡时间的实验测量值进行了修正.利用光纤飞秒光频梳测量了激光器的频率漂移,测出窄线宽激光频率稳定度的秒稳优于2.8×10-13.利用窄线宽激光在锶原子束上观测到具有高信噪比的窄线宽原子跃迁谱线,实验测得谱线的线宽为55 kHz,该窄线宽原子谱线可应用于锶原子二级冷却激光绝对频率的精确测量及锶原子互组跃迁谱的四种同位素位移测量.     

Sub-dekahertz ultraviolet spectroscopy of 199Hg+

Using a laser that is frequency locked to a Fabry-Perot etalon of high finesse and stability, we probe the 5d(10)6s (2)S(1/2)(F = 0)<-->5d(9)6s(2) (2)D(5/2)(F = 2) Deltam(F) = 0 electric-quadrupole transition of a single laser-cooled 199Hg+ ion stored in a cryogenic radio-frequency ion trap. We observe Fourier-transform limited linewidths as narrow as 6.7 Hz at 282 nm ( 1.06x10(15) Hz), yielding a line Q approximately 1.6x10(14). We perform a preliminary measurement of the 5d(9)6s(2) (2)D(5/2) electric-quadrupole shift due to interaction with the static fields of the trap, and discuss the implications for future trapped-ion optical frequency standards.     

Optical feedback characteristics in a dual-frequency laser during laser cavity tuning

The optical feedback characteristics in a Zeeman-birefringence dual-frequency laser are studied during the laser cavity tuning in three different kinds of optical feedback conditions: (i) only // -light is fed back; (ii) only ⊥-light is fed back; (iii) both lights are fed back.A compact displacement sensor is designed using the experimental result that there is a nearly 90 degrees phase delay between the two lights' cosine optical feedback signals when both lights are fed back into the laser cavity.The priority order that the two lights' intensity curves appear can be used for direction discrimination. The resolution of the displacement sensor is at least 79 nm, and the sensor can discriminate the target's moving direction easily.     

不同波长的激光器通过法布里-珀罗腔相对于铯原子谱线的锁定

采用共焦法布里珀罗腔(CFP)作为桥梁,可以实现不在原子、分子跃迁线附近的单频激光器相对于原子、分子跃迁线的锁定,从而可以有效地抑制激光频率的漂移。在实验中通过射频频率调制光谱技术结合饱和吸收光谱(SAS)将自制852nm光栅外腔反馈半导体激光器锁定到铯6S1/2Fg=4-6P3/2Fe=4、5交叉线上,通过Pound-Drever-Hall(PDH)射频边带技术将作为桥梁的共焦法布里珀罗腔锁定在852nm激光频率上。再通过PDH方法将830nm和908nm两台远离铯原子D2线的外腔半导体激光器同时锁定在作为桥梁的共焦法布里珀罗腔上,实现了830nm和908nm两台激光器相对于铯原子跃迁线的锁定。由锁定后的误差信号估算,20s内852nm激光器相对于铯原子Fg=4-Fe=4、5交叉线的频率起伏小于±540kHz,830nm、908nm激光器相对于共焦法布里珀罗腔的频率起伏分别小于±340kHz和±60kHz,共焦法布里珀罗腔相对于852nm激光的频率起伏小于±550kHz。     

Measurement of the (199)Hg+ 5d9 6s2 (2)D(5/2) electric quadrupole moment and a constraint on the quadrupole shift

The electric-quadrupole moment of the (199)Hg+ 5d9 6s2 (2)D(5/2) state is measured to be theta(D,5/2) = -2.29(8) x 10(-40) C m2. This value was determined by measuring the frequency of the (199)Hg+ 5d10 6s (2)S(1/2) --> 5d9 6s2 (2)D(5/2) optical clock transition for different applied electric-field gradients. An isolated, mechanically stable optical cavity provides a frequency reference for the measurement. We compare the results with theoretical calculations and discuss the implications for the accuracy of an atomic clock based upon this transition. We now expect that the frequency shift caused by the interaction of the quadrupole moment with stray electric-field gradients will not limit the accuracy of the Hg+ optical clock at the 10(-18) level.     

Absolute optical frequency measurement of saturated absorption lines in Rb near 422 nm

We present absolute optical frequency measurements of the 5s² S _1/2–6p² P _1/2 hyperfine resolved transitions in both ⁸⁵Rb and ⁸⁷Rb near 422 nm. The frequency of each transition was measured by stabilizing a narrow-linewidth extended cavity diode laser to the transition under study and by measuring that frequency with a femtosecond laser frequency comb. A frequency-doubled 844 nm laser was used as a frequency link to connect the 422 nm probe laser to the near infrared part of the comb. The resulting uncertainties of <70 kHz in the Rb transition frequencies represent a four-order of magnitude improvement over previously published results. The frequencies reported in this paper are one of the most accurate series of measurements made in the violet region of the spectrum. PACS 06.30.Ft; 33.20.Kf; 43.62.Fi     

Analysis of bolometer operation near the superconducting transition edge using microwave readout

The results of pioneering experiments on using a new method of microwave recording the bolometric response from a metal film near its superconducting transition edge are analyzed. Experiments are carried out at 4.5 K using a thin-film niobium absorber with a critical temperature of 6.7 K. The validity of the adopted electrodynamic model is confirmed. The chip contains a miniature antenna tuned to approximately 600 GHz and integrated into a planar resonator with a frequency of 6 GHz, which is weakly coupled with a pump line. Based on the experimental and model data, the presence of electrothermal feedback is shown, stability criteria are found, and I–V characteristics at microwaves are obtained. Bulk experimental samples with an absorber measuring 5 μm × 2.5 μm × 15 nm are fabricated with optical photolithography. At an amplifier channel noise of 3 K, the optical sensitivity of a prototype receiver can be expected at a level of 10^?15 W/Hz^1/2.     

Emission properties of a distributed feedback laser cavity containing silicon nanocrystals

We report on light emission from silicon nanocrystals (Si-nc) in a laser cavity. Using modified electrochemical etching of Si wafers we prepare Si-nc with blue-shifted photoluminescence spectrum down to 580-620 nm, embedded at high-volume fractions in a SiO₂-based solid matrix. We insert this active medium into an optically pumped resonator. Since our samples are only partially homogeneous, we cannot use external mirrors in order to achieve optical feedback: we induced optically an internal distributed cavity by intense, spatially periodical excitation. Mode selection was simulated by a simplified theoretical model, based on an approach of multiple reflections. In the framework of the model we discuss the experimentally observed spectral emission changes induced by the distributed cavity.     

Tunable frequency-controlled laser source in the near ultraviolet based on doubling of a semiconductor diode laser

Continuously tunable ultraviolet laser radiation at 397 nm was generated by doubling the output of a semiconductor diode laser. The fundamental radiation was provided by a 150 mW AlGaAs laser diode injected by a low-power AlGaAs laser diode which was frequency stabilized by optical feedback using a new scheme of a miniature external cavity. Second-harmonic generation was produced in a lithium-triborate crystal placed in a compact enhancement cavity. The fundamental radiation was used for sub-Doppler spectroscopy of the Ar I 4s ³ P ⁰ ₀–4p ¹ P ₁ transition at 795 nm; the second-harmonic radiation was used for spectroscopy of the Ca II 4² S _1/2–4² P _1/2 transition at 397 nm.     

Spontaneous motion of cavity solitons in vertical-cavity lasers subject to optical injection and to delayed feedback

We consider a rate equation model describing broad area vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers subject to injection and to time-delayed optical feedback. We show that the inclusion of an external cavity affects dramatically the space-time behavior of this system by modifying the instability threshold as well as the wavelength of the Turing instability. We show also that the delayed feedback is responsible for the appearance of traveling wave instability. Finally, we demonstrate that a single cavity soliton exhibits a spontaneous motion with a constant velocity. Without delayed feedback transition to the moving cavity soliton does not exist.     

Development of injection-seeded, pulsed optical parametric generator/oscillator systems for high-resolution spectroscopy

We report the development and application of pulsed optical parametric generator (OPG) and optical parametric oscillator (OPO) systems that are injection seeded with near-infrared distributed feedback diode lasers. The OPG is injection seeded at the idler wavelength without the use of a resonant cavity. Two counter-rotating, beta-barium-borate (β-BBO) crystals are used in the OPG. These crystals are pumped by the third harmonic, 355-nm output of an injection-seeded Nd:YAG laser. An OPO version of the system has also been developed by placing two flat mirrors around the two β-BBO crystals to form a feedback cavity at the signal wavelength. The OPO cavity length is not actively controlled. The output signal beam from the OPG or OPO is amplified using an optical parametric amplifier (OPA) stage with four β-BBO crystals. The frequency bandwidths of the signal and idler laser radiation from OPG/OPA and OPO/OPA systems have been determined to be slightly greater than 200 MHz. The temporal pulses from each system are smooth and near-Gaussian. High-resolution optical absorption measurements of acetylene (C₂H₂) were performed as another check of the frequency spectrum of the idler beam. The frequency-doubled signal output of the OPO/OPA system was used to perform high-resolution, single-photon, laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) spectroscopic studies of the (0,0) vibrational band of the A ²Σ⁺−X ²Π electronic transition of nitric oxide (NO) at low pressure. Excellent agreement was obtained between the theory and the experiment. The signal output of the OPG/OPA system was also used for sub-Doppler, two-photon LIF spectroscopic studies of the same vibration–rotation manifold of NO.This revised version was published online in August 2005 with a corrected cover date.     

半导体激光器的线宽压窄及频率连续调谐

我们利用共焦F—P腔光学弱反馈技术，实现了单模GaAlAs半导体激光器线宽压窄、频率锁定及连续调谐。其线宽从自由运转时的10MHz被压窄到45kHz，并可将频率锁定于共焦F—P腔。实验证明，在弱反馈情况下，激光器的频率连续调谐范围与共焦FP腔的光强反馈量近似成正比，实现了在铷原子D2线附近1．2GHz的频率连续调谐，     

Sub-ppb NO2 detection by optical feedback cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy with a blue diode laser

We report preliminary results on the first application of optical feedback cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy with a blue (411 nm) extended cavity diode laser (ECDL) for NO₂ detection. While this technique was originally developed to operate with distributed feedback diode lasers in the near infrared, it is here extended to ECDLs and applied to the blue spectral region. With a simple and compact optical setup, we demonstrate from the baseline noise a minimum detectable NO₂ concentration of 6×10⁹ molecules/cm³ for a single laser scan (70 ms), which extrapolated under atmospheric conditions corresponds to 200 pptv. Signal averaging should allow further lowering of this limit. Observed absorption spectra display more structure than previous spectra obtained at lower resolution by Fourier-transform spectroscopy at the same wavelength. PACS 07.88.+y; 42.55.Px; 42.62.Fi