The advent of tunable lasers has had a profound influence on both experimental and theoretical physics. Unfortunately, since these laser systems are typically hazardous and expensive, the physics student at the undergraduate or first-year graduate level has no real familiarity with their application in modern physics; and thus cannot fully appreciate their significance. Tunable single mode laser diodes, however, may offer a remedy to this situation. To demonstrate their applicability, we have designed a relatively simple and inexpensive experiment of laser diode spectroscopy in an atomic beam which illustrates the effect of hyperfine structure and the isotope shift in the rubidium D1 transition (52S1/2−52P1/2). Furthermore, this experiment demonstrates the possibility of investigating basic physics without major expenditures for laser systems and laboratory facilities.The advent of tunable lasers has had a profound influence on both experimental and theoretical physics. Unfortunately, since these laser systems are typically hazardous and expensive, the physics student at the undergraduate or first-year graduate level has no real familiarity with their application in modern physics; and thus cannot fully appreciate their significance. Tunable single mode laser diodes, however, may offer a remedy to this situation. To demonstrate their applicability, we have designed a relatively simple and inexpensive experiment of laser diode spectroscopy in an atomic beam which illustrates the effect of hyperfine structure and the isotope shift in the rubidium D1 transition (52S1/2−52P1/2). Furthermore, this experiment demonstrates the possibility of investigating basic physics without major expenditures for laser systems and laboratory facilities.

American Journal of PhysicsDec 1, 198323 citations

Isotope shift and hyperfine structure measurements of 4s 2S1/2→ 6s 2S1/2two-photon transition of potassium isotopes

P. V. Kiran Kumar, Manda V. Suryanarayana

Hyperfine splittings for the 39 K and 41 K isotopes and the isotope shift for the 4s 2 S 1/2 → 6s 2 S 1/2 two-photon transition have been measured using sub-Doppler fluorescence spectroscopy. We have accurately measured the transition isotope shift, and a discrepancy has been found in the earlier reported transition isotope shift value, which has been corrected. The resulting hyperfine splitting values of 418.2 (5) and 230.4 (1.3) MHz for the 39 K and 41 K isotopes respectively are in agreement with previous measurements. The precision of the absolute frequency values for the two-photon transition has been improved by about two orders. Our measured magnetic dipole constants for the upper 6 2 S 1/2 state for the 39 K and the 41 K isotopes are consistent with the earlier measured values.Hyperfine splittings for the 39 K and 41 K isotopes and the isotope shift for the 4s 2 S 1/2 → 6s 2 S 1/2 two-photon transition have been measured using sub-Doppler fluorescence spectroscopy. We have accurately measured the transition isotope shift, and a discrepancy has been found in the earlier reported transition isotope shift value, which has been corrected. The resulting hyperfine splitting values of 418.2 (5) and 230.4 (1.3) MHz for the 39 K and 41 K isotopes respectively are in agreement with previous measurements. The precision of the absolute frequency values for the two-photon transition has been improved by about two orders. Our measured magnetic dipole constants for the upper 6 2 S 1/2 state for the 39 K and the 41 K isotopes are consistent with the earlier measured values.

Journal of Physics B Atomic Molecular and Optical PhysicsFeb 18, 201112 citations

Hyperfine Structure of the Resonance Lines of Rubidium

A. V. Hollenberg

Physical ReviewJul 15, 19376 citations

Isotope shifts and hyperfine structure of the laser-cooling Fe I 358-nm line

Nicolas Huet, Manon Pettens, Thierry Bastin

We report on the measurement of the isotope shifts of the $3{d}^{7}4s\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}a\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}{}^{5}{F}_{5}\text{--}3{d}^{7}4p\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}z\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}{}^{5}{G}_{6}^{o}$ Fe i line at 358 nm between all four stable isotopes $^{54}\text{Fe},\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}^{56}\text{Fe},\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}^{57}\text{Fe}$ , and $^{58}\text{Fe}$ , as well as the hyperfine structure of that line for $^{57}\text{Fe}$ , the only stable isotope having a nonzero nuclear spin. This line is of primary importance for laser-cooling applications. In addition, an experimental value of the field and specific mass shift coefficients of the transition is reported as well as the hyperfine structure magnetic dipole coupling constant $A$ of the transition excited state in $^{57}\text{Fe}$ , namely $A(3{d}^{7}4p\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}z\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}{}^{5}{G}_{6}^{o})=31.241(48)$ MHz. The measurements were carried out by means of laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy performed on an isotope-enriched iron atomic beam. All measured frequency shifts are reported with relative uncertainties below one third percent.We report on the measurement of the isotope shifts of the $3{d}^{7}4s\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}a\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}{}^{5}{F}_{5}\text{--}3{d}^{7}4p\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}z\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}{}^{5}{G}_{6}^{o}$ Fe i line at 358 nm between all four stable isotopes $^{54}\text{Fe},\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}^{56}\text{Fe},\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}^{57}\text{Fe}$, and $^{58}\text{Fe}$, as well as the hyperfine structure of that line for $^{57}\text{Fe}$, the only stable isotope having a nonzero nuclear spin. This line is of primary importance for laser-cooling applications. In addition, an experimental value of the field and specific mass shift coefficients of the transition is reported as well as the hyperfine structure magnetic dipole coupling constant $A$ of the transition excited state in $^{57}\text{Fe}$, namely $A(3{d}^{7}4p\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}z\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}{}^{5}{G}_{6}^{o})=31.241(48)$ MHz. The measurements were carried out by means of laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy performed on an isotope-enriched iron atomic beam. All measured frequency shifts are reported with relative uncertainties below one third percent.

arXiv:1507.01498Physical Review ANov 4, 20155 citations

Two Photon Spectroscopy of Rubidium Using a Grating-Feedback Diode Laser

Evan J. Carlson, Abraham J. Olson, Shannon K. Mayer

Bulletin of the American Physical SocietyMay 19, 20060 citations

We report on the measurement of the isotope shifts of the

3{d}^{7}4s\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}a\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}{}^{5}{F}_{5}\text{--}3{d}^{7}4p\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}z\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}{}^{5}{G}_{6}^{o}

Fe i line at 358 nm between all four stable isotopes

^{54}\text{Fe},\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}^{56}\text{Fe},\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}^{57}\text{Fe}

, and

^{58}\text{Fe}

, as well as the hyperfine structure of that line for

^{57}\text{Fe}

, the only stable isotope having a nonzero nuclear spin. This line is of primary importance for laser-cooling applications. In addition, an experimental value of the field and specific mass shift coefficients of the transition is reported as well as the hyperfine structure magnetic dipole coupling constant

A

of the transition excited state in

^{57}\text{Fe}

, namely

A(3{d}^{7}4p\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}z\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}{}^{5}{G}_{6}^{o})=31.241(48)

MHz. The measurements were carried out by means of laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy performed on an isotope-enriched iron atomic beam. All measured frequency shifts are reported with relative uncertainties below one third percent.