Tunable Lasers At 1080 Nm For Helium Optical Pumping

Author

Laird D. Schearer, Missouri University of Science and Technology
Padetha Tin

Abstract

We describe the current status of tunable, cw, solid-state lasers in the infrared region of the spectrum which may be tuned to the helium resonance transition near 1083 nm. The principal use for these laser devices is the optical pumping of ³He and ⁴He atoms via the 2³S₁ metastable state. The tunable lasers we have examined include Nd³⁺-doped YAlO₃, La_xNd_1-xMgAl₁₁O₁₉ (x ∼0.15), Nd:LiNbO₃, and Nd:silica glass fibers. Power outputs from these lasers range from a milliwatt to more than 1 W at the helium transition. Laser emission bandwidths range from less than 40 MHz (single-mode operation) to several GHz. Applications include magnetometry, dense nuclear targets, and polarized electron beams.

Recommended Citation

L. D. Schearer and P. Tin, "Tunable Lasers At 1080 Nm For Helium Optical Pumping," Journal of Applied Physics, vol. 68, no. 3, pp. 943 - 949, American Institute of Physics, Dec 1990.

The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1063/1.346657

Department(s)

Physics

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

0021-8979

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Final Version

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2023 American Institute of Physics, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Dec 1990