Optics Letters

Resonant isotopic depletion spectroscopy

G. R. Janik, Bruce A. Bushaw, Bret D. Cannon

Published Jan 15, 1989• 8 citations

Abstract

We have devised a simple new scheme to increase the isotopic selectivity in optical rare-isotope detection experiments. We can effectively remove interfering isotopes from an atomic beam by optically pumping them into a state that is invisible to the optical detection system. The selectivity of this resonant depletion scales exponentially with the isotope shift and yields almost unlimited selectivity in principle. We have demonstrated a selectivity of 2.3 x 10(5) with a single laser excitation in a beam of metastable krypton atoms. With better laser stability we may be able to improve the selectivity much further.

DOI: 10.1364/ol.14.000266

Related papers

Isotopically selective optical deflection of a krypton atomic beam

G. R. Janik, Bret D. Cannon, Rachel Ogorzalek Loo +1 more

Journal of the Optical Society of America BSep 1, 19898 citations

Isotope-selective photoionization spectroscopy of barium

Darrell J. Armstrong, J. Cooper

Physical Review AApr 1, 199311 citations

Ultrasensitive Isotope Trace Analyses with a Magneto-Optical Trap

C. Y. Chen, Y. M. Li, K. Bailey +3 more

ScienceNov 5, 1999195 citations

Laser modulation technique for single isotope spectroscopic studies

Jason R. Bochinski, Thomas H. Loftus, THOMAS W. MOSSBERG

Physical Review AMar 17, 20004 citations

Towards trace detection of [sup 85]Kr by two-step excitation and field ionization

Xinghua Li

We have implemented a new laser-based detection scheme for the rare krypton isotopes. The scheme utilizes two-step excitation of metastable krypton atoms in a nearly perfect three-level system followed by field ionization. The detection scheme was realized experimentally with a mass-separated atom beam. A total detection efficiency of about 10% is obtained.

AIP conference proceedingsJan 1, 20010 citations

Coherent trapping of atomic populations

H. R. Gray, R. M. Whitley, Carlos R. Stroud

Optics LettersDec 1, 1978768 citations

Optics Letters

Resonant isotopic depletion spectroscopy

G. R. Janik, Bruce A. Bushaw, Bret D. Cannon

Published Jan 15, 1989• 8 citations

Publisher

Abstract

DOI: 10.1364/ol.14.000266

Related papers

Isotopically selective optical deflection of a krypton atomic beam

G. R. Janik, Bret D. Cannon, Rachel Ogorzalek Loo +1 more

We deflected a well-collimated beam of krypton atoms in the metastable ls5 state by radiation pressure from a single-frequency dye laser. To produce the radiation pressure, we resonantly excited the krypton atoms, using the 1s5–2p9 transition. The natural width of this transition is much smaller than its isotope shift, which allowed us to deflect one isotope at a time. This created a new isotopically enriched atomic beam of Kr(1s5). We achieved a maximum enrichment factor of 1.2 × 104 at a deflection angle of 19 mrad. This enrichment is limited mainly by scattering of the parent atomic beam by residual gas. This degree of enrichment may make it possible to perform sensitive measurements of the concentrations of rare krypton isotopes in environmental samples.We deflected a well-collimated beam of krypton atoms in the metastable ls5 state by radiation pressure from a single-frequency dye laser. To produce the radiation pressure, we resonantly excited the krypton atoms, using the 1s5–2p9 transition. The natural width of this transition is much smaller than its isotope shift, which allowed us to deflect one isotope at a time. This created a new isotopically enriched atomic beam of Kr(1s5). We achieved a maximum enrichment factor of 1.2 × 104 at a deflection angle of 19 mrad. This enrichment is limited mainly by scattering of the parent atomic beam by residual gas. This degree of enrichment may make it possible to perform sensitive measurements of the concentrations of rare krypton isotopes in environmental samples.

Journal of the Optical Society of America BSep 1, 19898 citations

Isotope-selective photoionization spectroscopy of barium

Darrell J. Armstrong, J. Cooper

We demonstrate an experimental technique that selects the nuclear spin I=0 isotope $^{138}\mathrm{Ba}$ for spectroscopic measurements from a beam of natural barium containing seven stable isotopes. A cw dye laser is used to optically pump the I=3/2 isotopes $^{135}\mathrm{Ba}$ and $^{137}\mathrm{Ba}$ into the metastable 6s5d $^{1}$ ${\mathit{D}}_{2}$ and $^{3}$ ${\mathit{D}}_{1,2}$ levels via the 6s6p $^{1}$ ${\mathit{P}}_{1}$ excited state, leaving nearly pure $^{138}\mathrm{Ba}$ in the ground state. Photoionization spectra of the excited 5d6p $^{3}$ ${\mathit{D}}_{1}$ even isotope state recorded with optical pumping of $^{135}\mathrm{Ba}$ and $^{137}\mathrm{Ba}$ to the metastable levels are essentially devoid of forbidden features associated with the hyperfine interaction in the odd isotopes.We demonstrate an experimental technique that selects the nuclear spin I=0 isotope $^{138}\mathrm{Ba}$ for spectroscopic measurements from a beam of natural barium containing seven stable isotopes. A cw dye laser is used to optically pump the I=3/2 isotopes $^{135}\mathrm{Ba}$ and $^{137}\mathrm{Ba}$ into the metastable 6s5d $^{1}$${\mathit{D}}_{2}$ and $^{3}$${\mathit{D}}_{1,2}$ levels via the 6s6p $^{1}$${\mathit{P}}_{1}$ excited state, leaving nearly pure $^{138}\mathrm{Ba}$ in the ground state. Photoionization spectra of the excited 5d6p $^{3}$${\mathit{D}}_{1}$ even isotope state recorded with optical pumping of $^{135}\mathrm{Ba}$ and $^{137}\mathrm{Ba}$ to the metastable levels are essentially devoid of forbidden features associated with the hyperfine interaction in the odd isotopes.

Physical Review AApr 1, 199311 citations

Ultrasensitive Isotope Trace Analyses with a Magneto-Optical Trap

C. Y. Chen, Y. M. Li, K. Bailey +3 more

Laser manipulation of neutral atoms has been used to count individual krypton-85 and krypton-81 atoms present in a natural krypton gas sample with isotopic abundances in the range of 10(-11) and 10(-13), respectively. This method of isotope trace analysis is free of contamination from other isotopes and elements and can be applied to several different isotope tracers for a wide range of applications. The demonstrated detection efficiency is 1 x 10(-7). System improvements could increase the efficiency by many orders of magnitude.Laser manipulation of neutral atoms has been used to count individual krypton-85 and krypton-81 atoms present in a natural krypton gas sample with isotopic abundances in the range of 10(-11) and 10(-13), respectively. This method of isotope trace analysis is free of contamination from other isotopes and elements and can be applied to several different isotope tracers for a wide range of applications. The demonstrated detection efficiency is 1 x 10(-7). System improvements could increase the efficiency by many orders of magnitude.

ScienceNov 5, 1999195 citations

Laser modulation technique for single isotope spectroscopic studies

Jason R. Bochinski, Thomas H. Loftus, THOMAS W. MOSSBERG

We demonstrate an atomic-beam approach to obtaining isotope specific driven-atom spectra using samples of arbitrary isotopic composition. The method employs modulation of a target isotope ground-state population by an upstream preparation laser. Desired driven-atom signals generated downstream from the preparation laser are isolated using a lock-in amplifier referenced to the preparation laser modulation frequency. In our experiments, an intensity-modulated laser resonant with the barium ${(6s}^{2}{)}^{1}{S}_{0}{\ensuremath{-}(6s6p)}^{3}{P}_{1}$ 791.1-nm intercombination transition selectively pumps ${}^{138}\mathrm{Ba}$ atoms via radiative decays to the ${(6s5d)}^{3}{D}_{1,2}$ metastable states. Dressed-atom gain studies using the ${(6s}^{2}{)}^{1}{S}_{0}{\ensuremath{-}(6s6p)}^{1}{P}_{1}$ 553.5-nm transition demonstrate the efficacy of the method. This technique has general utility for selectively isolating specific isotopic signals in systems possessing optically controllable atomic-beam populations.We demonstrate an atomic-beam approach to obtaining isotope specific driven-atom spectra using samples of arbitrary isotopic composition. The method employs modulation of a target isotope ground-state population by an upstream preparation laser. Desired driven-atom signals generated downstream from the preparation laser are isolated using a lock-in amplifier referenced to the preparation laser modulation frequency. In our experiments, an intensity-modulated laser resonant with the barium ${(6s}^{2}{)}^{1}{S}_{0}{\ensuremath{-}(6s6p)}^{3}{P}_{1}$ 791.1-nm intercombination transition selectively pumps ${}^{138}\mathrm{Ba}$ atoms via radiative decays to the ${(6s5d)}^{3}{D}_{1,2}$ metastable states. Dressed-atom gain studies using the ${(6s}^{2}{)}^{1}{S}_{0}{\ensuremath{-}(6s6p)}^{1}{P}_{1}$ 553.5-nm transition demonstrate the efficacy of the method. This technique has general utility for selectively isolating specific isotopic signals in systems possessing optically controllable atomic-beam populations.

Physical Review AMar 17, 20004 citations

Towards trace detection of [sup 85]Kr by two-step excitation and field ionization

Xinghua Li

AIP conference proceedingsJan 1, 20010 citations

Coherent trapping of atomic populations

H. R. Gray, R. M. Whitley, Carlos R. Stroud

It is often desirable in laser spectroscopy and isotope separation to extract as much as possible of an atomic or molecular population that is distributed among a number of ground-state sublevels and low-lying metastable levels. We describe a form of coherent trapping that occurs when multiple resonant laser beams are used to couple the various ground states to a common upper level. This effect prevents the extraction of the entire population. We then study the effect with two dye lasers and an atomic beam and suggest possible ways to maximize the pumping efficiency.It is often desirable in laser spectroscopy and isotope separation to extract as much as possible of an atomic or molecular population that is distributed among a number of ground-state sublevels and low-lying metastable levels. We describe a form of coherent trapping that occurs when multiple resonant laser beams are used to couple the various ground states to a common upper level. This effect prevents the extraction of the entire population. We then study the effect with two dye lasers and an atomic beam and suggest possible ways to maximize the pumping efficiency.

Optics LettersDec 1, 1978768 citations

We demonstrate an experimental technique that selects the nuclear spin I=0 isotope

^{138}\mathrm{Ba}

for spectroscopic measurements from a beam of natural barium containing seven stable isotopes. A cw dye laser is used to optically pump the I=3/2 isotopes

^{135}\mathrm{Ba}

and

^{137}\mathrm{Ba}

into the metastable 6s5d

^{1}

{\mathit{D}}_{2}

and

^{3}

{\mathit{D}}_{1,2}

levels via the 6s6p

^{1}

{\mathit{P}}_{1}

excited state, leaving nearly pure

^{138}\mathrm{Ba}

in the ground state. Photoionization spectra of the excited 5d6p

^{3}

{\mathit{D}}_{1}

even isotope state recorded with optical pumping of

^{135}\mathrm{Ba}

and

^{137}\mathrm{Ba}

to the metastable levels are essentially devoid of forbidden features associated with the hyperfine interaction in the odd isotopes.

{}^{138}\mathrm{Ba}

atoms via radiative decays to the

{(6s5d)}^{3}{D}_{1,2}

metastable states. Dressed-atom gain studies using the ${(6s}^{2}{)}^{1}{S}_{0}{\ensuremath{-}(6s6p)}^{1}{P}_{1}$ 553.5-nm transition demonstrate the efficacy of the method. This technique has general utility for selectively isolating specific isotopic signals in systems possessing optically controllable atomic-beam populations.