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Fundamental noise processes in a laser excited optical filter

Eric C. Apel, Timothy R. Gosnell, T. M. Shay, Ramin Samadani

Published Jan 1, 1987• 0 citations

Abstract

A rubidium narrow bandwidth optical filter is being investigated as a device for detecting weak narrow bandwidth radiation. In our configuration, the optical filter is actively pumped (or laser excited, i.e., LEOF). This configuration has a major inherent advantage over a passive optical filter, namely, wavelength versatility. One possible limitation to the Rb LEOF is due to an intrinsic noise source caused by the energy pooling of Rb 5p atoms which are produced by the pump laser. This process, i.e., Rb (5p) + Rb (5p) ..-->.. Rb (5d) + (Rb(5s)) ..-->.. Rb (6p), produces Rb atoms in the 6p state which subsequently emit radiation within the bandwidth of the detection channel (420-323 nm). Hence, this constitutes a noise process since photons are produced at the detector in the absence of narrow bandwidth ''signal'' radiation. Herein, we present preliminary results on kinetic studies of the energy pooling process with the ultimate goal of quantifying the process (rate constant determination) and thus assessing its implications. 4 refs., 3 figs.

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An experimental study of rubidium energy pooling collisions, Rb(5P(J)) + Rb(5P(J))-->Rb(nlJ') + Rb(5S), at thermal energies, was carried out in a cell. Atoms were excited to either the 5P 1/2 or 5P 3/2 state using a single-mode diode laser. The excited atom density and spatial distribution were mapped by monitoring the absorption of a counter-propagating single-mode diode laser beam, tuned to either 5P 1/2-->5D 3/2 or 5P 3/2-->7S 1/2 transition, which could be translated parallel to the pump beam. The excited atom densities were combined with the measured fluorescence ratios to determine cross sections for the rubidium energy pooling process. For 5P 3/2 excitation the cross sections for nlJ' being 5D 5/2, 5D 3/2, and 7S 1/2 are (1.32+/-0.59) x 10(-14), (1.18+/-0.53) x 10(-14) and (3. 21+/-1. 44) x 10(-15) cm2, respectively. For 5P 1/2 excitation the cross sections for nlJ' being 5D 5/2 and 5D 3/2 are (6.57+/-2.96) x 10(-15), and (5.90+/-2.66) x 10(-15) cm2, respectively. The results were compared with those of other experiments.

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A narrow-bandwidth optical filter using diode-laser-pumped atomic Rb vapor has been demonstrated. Excellent rejection of off-resonant laser photons has been achieved. The measured detection bandwidth was 1.18 GHz at the Rb cell temperature of 150 degrees C, which shows a good agreement with the calculated detection bandwidth of 1.02 GHz. The quantum efficiency of the atomic Rb vapor laser-excited optical filter is linearly dependent on the diode laser pumping power.>

IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics•May 1, 1988•10 citations

A rubidium narrow bandwidth optical filter is being investigated as a device for detecting weak narrow bandwidth radiation. In our configuration, the optical filter is actively pumped (or laser excited, i.e., LEOF). This configuration has a major inherent advantage over a passive optical filter, namely, wavelength versatility. One possible limitation to the Rb LEOF is due to an intrinsic noise source caused by the energy pooling of Rb 5p atoms which are produced by the pump laser. This process, i.e., Rb (5p) + Rb (5p) ..-->.. Rb (5d) + (Rb(5s)) ..-->.. Rb (6p), produces Rb atoms in the 6p state which subsequently emit radiation within the bandwidth of the detection channel (420-323 nm). Hence, this constitutes a noise process since photons are produced at the detector in the absence of narrow bandwidth ''signal'' radiation. Herein, we present preliminary results on kinetic studies of the energy pooling process with the ultimate goal of quantifying the process (rate constant determination) and thus assessing its implications. 4 refs., 3 figs.

Narrow-bandwidth optical sources are readily available. However, tunable narrow-bandwidth wide field-of-view optical filters are not available. The laser-excited optical filters (LEOFs) presented here are in principle tunable narrow-bandwidth wide field-of-view optical filters. These filters can simultaneously provide high-resolution (0.001-nm), wide field-of-view (±90°), high-quantum-efficiency, and electrically tunable optical filtering. These devices are ideally suited for extracting weak narrow-bandwidth signals buried in strong nonresonant optical background radiation. Potential applications of these filters include laser communications, laser radar, detection of Raman radiation, and atomic spectroscopy.

Narrow bandwidth optical sources are readily available; however, tunable narrow-bandwidth, wide field-of-view optical filters are not available. Laser-excited optical filters (LEOFs) are in principle, tunable narrow-bandwidth, wide field-of-view optical filters. LEOFs can simultaneously provide high resolution (0.001 nm), wide field of-view (2π), and high quantum efficiency. These devices are ideally suited for extracting weak narrow bandwidth signals buried in strong nonresonant optical background radiation. Potential applications of these filters include remote sensing, laser communications, laser radar, detection of Raman radiation, atomic spectroscopy, etc.

Narrow bandwidth optical sources are readily available. However, tunable narrow bandwidth, wide field-of-view optical filters are not available. The laser-excited optical filters (LEOF) presented here are in principle tunable narrow bandwidth, wide field-of-view optical filters. These filters can simultaneously provide high resolution (0.001 nm), wide field-of-view (2π), high quantum efficiency, and electrically tunable optical filtering. Narrow bandwidth operation of laser-pumped atomic vapor filters were first demonstrated by Gelbwachs et al1., by Marling et al.2, and recently by Chung et al.3 The first electrical tuning of these devices was demonstrated by Gelbwachs et. al.4 In addition, alkali vapor based LEOFs can operate on 130 transitions between 921 and 474 nm. LEOFs are ideally suited for extracting weak narrow bandwidth signals buried in strong nonresonant optical background radiation. Potential applications of these filters include laser radar, laser communications, detection of Raman radiation, atomic spectroscopy, etc.

An experimental study of rubidium energy pooling collisions, Rb(5P(J)) + Rb(5P(J))-->Rb(nlJ') + Rb(5S), at thermal energies, was carried out in a cell. Atoms were excited to either the 5P 1/2 or 5P 3/2 state using a single-mode diode laser. The excited atom density and spatial distribution were mapped by monitoring the absorption of a counter-propagating single-mode diode laser beam, tuned to either 5P 1/2-->5D 3/2 or 5P 3/2-->7S 1/2 transition, which could be translated parallel to the pump beam. The excited atom densities were combined with the measured fluorescence ratios to determine cross sections for the rubidium energy pooling process. For 5P 3/2 excitation the cross sections for nlJ' being 5D 5/2, 5D 3/2, and 7S 1/2 are (1.32+/-0.59) x 10(-14), (1.18+/-0.53) x 10(-14) and (3. 21+/-1. 44) x 10(-15) cm2, respectively. For 5P 1/2 excitation the cross sections for nlJ' being 5D 5/2 and 5D 3/2 are (6.57+/-2.96) x 10(-15), and (5.90+/-2.66) x 10(-15) cm2, respectively. The results were compared with those of other experiments.

We report the detection of frequéncy-doubled Q-switched Nd:YAG laser radiation at 532.24 nm by an active rubidium atomic resonance filter. The Rb 5p level was populated by using a diode laser operating at 795 nm. The 532-nm laser excited atoms to the 10s level; these decay through p levels to the ground state. Signals were observed at 420/422 nm and 359 nm, corresponding to fluorescence from states 6p and 7p. Fluorescence noise was observed only on the 420/422-nm transition; the 359-nm signal had no detectable noise.