Radiation machines for gamma-ray laser research

In the basic research efforts to define the optimum isomers for making a gamma-ray laser, a variety of radiation sources have been used to find the nuclear gateways that make the idea possible. The radiation sources have several roles to play in the gamma-ray laser process, including pumping isomers to excited states with long lifetimes and in subsequently pumping these to short-lived states that quickly decay. This paper reviews the technology of the radiation sources and the desirable characteristics relative to pumping and triggering in gamma-ray laser research. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Status of current nuclear structure data bases for gamma-ray laser applications

A search of two nuclear structure data bases, CDRL82 and ENSDF, was undertaken in order to identify nuclei attractive for gamma-ray laser applications. Level pairs for 32 such candidate nuclei were determined that had properties (spacings, half-lives) attractive for possible gamma-ray laser use. However, many of these pairs suffer from details (for example, required spin transfers) that may take their use difficult in actual laser concepts. To complicate the problem, present data bases are deficient in the formation needed to identify additional, more promising candidates. Nuclear model calculations are suggested as a way to remedy such deficiencies in the near term. Examples from nuclear structure analyses are provided that impact consideration of current nuclear candidates or that may help identify new ones.     

Spectroscopic and radiation-resistant properties of Er,Pr:GYSGG laser crystal operated at 2.79 μm

We demonstrate the spectroscopic and laser performance before and after 100 Mrad gamma-ray irradiation on an Er,Pr:GYSGG crystal grown by the Czochralski method. The additional absorption of Er,Pr:GYSGG crystal is close to zero in the 968 nm pumping and 2.7-3 μm laser wavelength regions. The lifetimes of the upper and lower levels show faint decreases after gamma-ray irradiation. The maximum output powers of 542 and 526 mW with the slope efficiencies of 17.7% and 17.0% are obtained, respectively, on the GYSGG/Er,Pr:GYSGG composite crystal before and after the gammaray irradiation. These results suggest that Er,Pr:GYSGG crystal as a laser gain medium possesses a distinguished antiradiation ability for application in space and radiant environments.     

Effective gyromagnetic ratios in a mixture of noble gases with artificial nuclear magnetization

The precession of nuclear magnetic moments for a noble gas in an external magnetic field upon the laser pumping of nuclear magnetization is considered. A shift of the nuclear magnetic resonance for a mixture of noble gases with different gyromagnetic ratios of nuclei is observed.     

Compilation of low-energy gamma rays

A compilation of selected nuclear gamma rays has been prepared in order to identify the most attractive candidate nuclei for a gamma-ray laser. The compilation consists of two parts: (1) a listing of selected gamma rays emanating from an isomeric state and (2) a listing of selected gamma rays following the decay of an energy level close to the isomeric state. The compilation is based on the latest “Nuclear Data Sheets” (Ref. 1) for each A-chain available on 1 January 1987.     

An efficient lasing action from pyrromethene 556 dye-doped organically modified silicates

Organically modified solid-state silicates (ORMOSILS) doped with a new laser dye 1,3,5,7,8-pentamethylpyrromethene-2,6-disulfonate-BF₂ complex (pyrromethene 556) have been synthesized by a sol-gel method and the compositional effects on pore characteristics, fluorescence and lasing properties have been investigated. It is found that the use of dimethylsulfoxide and γ-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane could greatly change the structure properties of sol-gel derived ORMOSILS cage, and thus the fluorescence and lasing properties of the materials could improve significantly. A successful laser oscillation from this dye-doped ORMOSILS sample has been achieved upon pumping with a Q-switched frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser at 532 nm. A slope efficiency of 54% with a useful lifetime greater than 10,000 shots has been demonstrated at a pump repetition rate of 1 Hz and a pump intensity of 1 J/cm² by using the new ORMOSILS cage on our newly designed laser system. Our results have shown that it is possible to obtain a high-efficiency with a long-lifetime for a compact new laser device by low cost dye-doped solid-state ORMOSILS.     

轴向隐失波激励的回音壁模式光纤激光器

采用轴向隐失波激励增益的方式,使激光增益区域局限在光纤回音壁模式的模场区域内,显著地降低了回音壁模式光纤激光辐射的抽运阈值,由此形成一种低阈值的回音壁模式光纤激光器.在微焦耳量级的低抽运能量条件下,用回音壁模式光纤激光器研究了激光染料的浓度效应.实验结果表明,随着激光染料浓度的增加,回音壁模式激光辐射的波长向长波方向移动,激光波长范围变宽.用回音壁模式染料激光的四能级模型得到激光上能级和所有能级上的分子数比值γ(λ)曲线后,很好地解释了实验结果.低抽运阈值的回音壁模式光纤激光器,为研究液体激光现象提供了极为便利的手段.     

双向抽运钛宝石啁啾脉冲激光多通放大的理论与实验研究

以双向抽运方式为基点，提出了新的、更接近实际的多通放大计算模型与方法，系统地计算分析了共焦腔双向抽运钛宝石激光放大器的放大特性，进而采用新的放大构型完成了啁啾脉冲多通放大．将实验结果与理论计算进行了比较，两者符合得很好．这种放大器大大减少了放大次数并彻底避免了再生腔必需的诸多光电元件 关键词：     

New space-time effects in superradiance: Experiment and theory

A new effect has been observed in the superradiance of praseodymium ions in a lanthanum trifluoride matrix: the effect of selecting transverse pumping structures upon the oblique-incidence pumping of superradiant media. A simple explanation for this effect is given. The possible reasons for the stochastization of the oscillatory regime of superradiance, a phenomenon observed upon both the normal and oblique incidence of pumping radiation on a crystal and when the crystal is placed in a resonator with an eigenfrequency close to the frequency of the superradiant transition, are analyzed.     

Return of collective rotation in 157Er and 158Er at ultrahigh spin

A new frontier of discrete-line gamma-ray spectroscopy at ultrahigh spin has been opened in the rare-earth nuclei (157,158) Er. Four rotational structures, displaying high moments of inertia, have been identified, which extend up to spin approximately 65 variant Planck's over 2pi and bypass the band-terminating states in these nuclei which occur at approximately 45 variant Planck's over 2pi. Cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky calculations suggest that these structures arise from well-deformed triaxial configurations that lie in a valley of favored shell energy which also includes the triaxial strongly deformed bands in (161-167) Lu.     

香港大学在束伽玛谱学研究与新一代伽玛探测器阵列(英文)

探索原子核的壳层演化,验证奇特核的幻数结构是香港大学核物理研究的重要方向。目前,科研团队利用在束伽玛谱学技术已经研究了30Ne的N=20幻数消失和78Ni（Z=28,N=50）附近原子核的双幻数结构,而即将开展的53,56Ca在束伽玛谱学实验会对新幻数N=34的定量研究,以及到N=40核的壳层演化提供重要的数据。下一步的研究目标是探索100Sn（N=Z=50）的奇特结构,特别是研究它的第一个2+激发态与其邻近原子核的低激发态性质。100Sn处于质子滴线以及核天体快质子俘获路径上,因此,它的幻数结构及其临近原子核单粒子性能研究将会极大增强对核力和核合成机制的认识。为了进一步提高物理实验统计,香港大学在数量上增加了30% NaI（Tl）晶体从而全面升级了DALI2伽玛探测阵列。此外,为了探索远离稳定线核区的新物理,开展更高精度在束伽玛谱学实验,香港大学与中国科学院近代物理研究所、中国原子能科学研究院计划合作研制基于溴化镧晶体的新一代伽玛探测器阵列。这套阵列主要在兰州重离子加速器（HIRFL）和将来建成的强流重离子加速器（HIAF）等大科学装置上开展实验,从而在奇特核研究方面取得大量重要的成果,促进科研人员全面认识、理解核力以及天体核合成过程。Exploring the evolution of shell closures and examining the magicity of extremely exotic nuclei are the main research interests of HKU (University of Hong Kong) experimental nuclear physics group. The group has employed in-beam gamma-ray spectroscopy technique to investigate the vanishing of N=20 magicity in 30Ne (N=20) and the strong magicity in nuclei around 78Ni (Z=28, N=50). The approved future's experiment on spectroscopy of 53,56Ca, proposed by HKU, will give quantitative information for the "magic index" of N=34 and shell evolution toward N=40. The next goal is to investigate the structure of 100Sn (N=Z=50), particularly the energy of the first 2+ state, and the low-lying states in the neighboring nuclei. 100Sn lies on the proton drip-line and on the astrophysical rp-process path. Characterizing the magicity of 100Sn and the nature of single-particle states in its neighboring nuclei is therefore essential to the fundamental understanding of nuclear forces and nucleo-synthesis. To significantly increase the data statistics for our physics goals, HKU group has prepared the upgrade of gamma-ray spectrometer DALI2 with 30% more NaI(Tl) detectors integrated into a new array configuration. On the other hand, next significant insights into the structure of nuclei would require new gamma-ray detection array capable for higher precision gamma-ray spectroscopy. HKU group in collaboration with IMP and CIAE therefore proposes to construct a new-generation gamma-ray detection array based on the novel scintillator LaBr₃(Ce) to explore the new physics in nuclei far from the valley of stability. Utilizing the radioactive beams at the Chinese large-scale facilities such as the Heavy Ion Research Facility in Lanzhou (HIRFL) in IMP and the future's High Intensity heavy-ion Accelerator Facility (HIAF), this novel LaBr₃(Ce) array would lead to a significant boost to the frontiers of exotic-nuclei research, which will guide scientists towards the comprehensive and even beyond-traditional understanding of nuclear forces and nucleosynthesis.     

波面热畸变自校正型板条增益介质的瞬态温度分布

提出一种新的激光增益介质板条抽运结构,这种结构能对由激光增益介质板条温度分布不均所造成的波面热畸变实现自校正,并建立了这种抽运结构下激光增益介质板条的瞬态温度分布理论模型,通过解热传导方程,推导出板条增益介质的瞬态温度分布的解析表达式。同时对抽运参量分别为抽运脉冲能量为5.8×104J、抽运重复频率为2Hz和抽运脉冲能量为3.2×104J、重复频率为10Hz两种情况下两种下N-31型钕玻璃板条的瞬态温度分布分别进行了数值计算,分别给出两种情况下10s内和60s时钕玻璃板条的温度分布图并对结果进行了分析和对比,表明采用这种抽运结构的增益介质板条激光器可以以类似热容激光器的方式在短时间内实现高平均功率、高光束质量运转。     

Generating an Inversion on a Nuclear Transition – Photopumping of 103Rh

Quite a number of proposals for a gamma-ray laser have been made over the years. One first step on the way to a gamma-ray laser is an inversion between nuclear states. For the natural isotope ¹⁰³Rh we have the favorable condition that there are two low-lying nuclear levels at energies of 357 keV and 295 keV with lifetimes of 107 ps and 9.7 ps, respectively. With two Nuclear Resonance Fluorescence (NRF) measurements the population of these low-lying levels via feeding from higher-lying levels was investigated. Altogether 26 higher-lying nuclear levels that show a branching to one or even both interesting low-lying levels have been found. Summing over all contributions from these feeding levels this results in a population inversion between the levels at 357 keV and 295 keV of ¹⁰³Rh. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A review of Ni-like X-ray laser experiments undertaken using the VULCAN laser at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory

Recent progress using the VULCAN laser at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory to pump X-ray lasing in nickel-like ions is reviewed. Double pulse pumping with ∼100 ps pulses has been shown to produce significantly greater X-ray laser output than single pulses of duration 0.1–1 ns. With double pulse pumping, the main pumping pulse interacts with a pre-formed plasma created by a pre-pulse. The efficiency of lasing increases as there is a reduced effect of refraction of the X-ray laser beam due to smaller density gradients and larger gain volumes, which enable propagation of the X-ray laser beam along the full length of the target. The record shortest wavelength saturated laser at 5.9 nm has been achieved in Ni-like dysprosium using double pulse pumping of 75 ps duration from the VULCAN laser. A variant of the double pulse pumping using a single ∼100 ps laser pulse and a superimposed short ∼1 ps pulse has been found to further increase the efficiency of lasing by reducing the effects of over-ionisation during the gain period. The record shortest wavelength saturated laser pumped by a short ∼1 ps pulse has been achieved in Ni-like samarium using the VULCAN laser operating in chirped pulse amplified (CPA) mode. Ni-like samarium lases at 7.3 nm.     

Nuclear gamma-ray laser: A comparative analysis of various schemes

Four basic schemes for a nuclear gamma-ray laser (NGL) are analyzed using the “NGL-hyper-bola” as a generalized comparative criterion: solid state Mössbauer scheme; stimulated gamma-emission in cooled ensembles of free nuclei with hidden population inversion of nuclear states; nuclear gamma-ray lasing without inversion; and Bose-Einstein condensate as a hypothetical active medium for NGL.     

Upgrade to the IGISOL laser ion source towards spectroscopy on Tc

A new method of optical pumping has been applied to increase the power of the Ti:Sapphire laser system of the FURIOS laser ion source, Jyväskylä. This upgrade has led to a factor of two improvement in the output power, and has been directly employed in the first off-line laser ionisation tests on the long-lived refractory isotope ⁹⁹Tc. In the future further studies will be done to determine the efficiency of this ionisation scheme and to employ it for on-line experiments.     

Laser action in CdS by optical pumping with radiation from a CO2 laser-produced plasma

Radiation from a CO₂ laser-produced plasma has been used to produce laser action in CdS at 5260 Å. This technique compares favorably with optical pumping of CdS by 3371 Å radiation from a pulsed N₂ laser and its potential as a new source for the optical pumping of solids at short wavelengths is strongly indicated.     

ErYb:氟氧化物玻璃陶瓷的上转换发光特征饱和现象的综合分析

研究了Er3+和Yb3+双掺的氟氧化物玻璃陶瓷在966 nm激光激发下的上转换发光的饱和现象。详细的分析发现了它存在一种能量扩展导致的“特征饱和现象”,也就是说上转换发光强度I随激光功率P而改变的双对数曲线的斜率随着激光光斑的增大而明显增大至正常的多光子关系。还发现布居耗空所导致的“典型饱和现象”也有较大的影响,它导致了logI-logP曲线会随着激光功率的增加而逐渐弯曲,而激光功率的减小会导致“典型饱和现象”也减小甚至完全消失。     

Self-modulation lasing regimes in a fast-flow CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> laser

Numerical simulation of self-modulation lasing regimes has been carried out for a CO₂ laser with transverse flow of the active medium through an unstable resonator with inhomogeneous internal pumping. Two types of steady-state self-modulation oscillation differing in the feedback mechanism were observed. The type of lasing regime and the conditions of its realization depend both upon the pumping profile and upon the composition and pressure of the working mixture, which makes it generally possible to control temporal characteristics of lasing.     

Fiber supercontinuum generators with an extended set of controlled parameters in real time scale

Different methods for controlling the radiation parameters of supercontinuum (SC) are analyzed. In particular, the possibility of varying the SC spectral power density due to variations in the pulse repetition rate and radiation wavelength of the pumping laser, the increase in the SC degree of coherence due to the choice of the optimal phase modulation of pumping pulses, and the variations in the SC pulse repetition rate in the two-wave pumping scheme due to the variations in the frequency difference are considered. A new method for controlling the spectrum width and the spectral power density level of the SC generated upon continuous excitation using an additional noise pumping component is proposed.