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IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics

Infrared detection by an atomic vapor quantum counter

Jerry A. Gelbwachs, C. Klein, John E. Wessel

Published Feb 1, 1978• 22 citations
Publisher

Abstract

An efficient technique for the detection of nartowband infrared radiation by up-conversion in an optically saturated atomic vapor is described. The strong transition cross sections provided by the resonance interactions combined with the narrow Doppler spectral response profile contribute to the potential to approach quantum-noise-limited performance. Experimental results confirm the model of the detection process for sodium transitions at 1.48, 2.34, and 3.42 μ. The predicted ultimate noise equivalent power (NEP) of this device is less than 10-17W/Hz1/2in the1.5-5-\muspectral region.

DOI
10.1109/jqe.1978.1069746

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Parametric noise in a nonlinear frequency up-converter of infrared signals by two-photon pumping of 3S–3Dand 3S–5Stransitions in sodium vapor

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Physical Review A•Apr 24, 2002•139 citations
An efficient technique for the detection of nartowband infrared radiation by up-conversion in an optically saturated atomic vapor is described. The strong transition cross sections provided by the resonance interactions combined with the narrow Doppler spectral response profile contribute to the potential to approach quantum-noise-limited performance. Experimental results confirm the model of the detection process for sodium transitions at 1.48, 2.34, and 3.42 μ. The predicted ultimate noise equivalent power (NEP) of this device is less than 10-17W/Hz1/2in the1.5-5-\muspectral region.
A novel device for the upconversion of narrow-band infra-red (IR) radiation in the 1.5-20-µm spectral region is described. The atomic-vapor quantum counter (AVQC) takes advantage of the efficient incoherent upconversion of narrow-band IR radiation in an optically excited atomic vapor. In a 300 K background and a 2π-sr field of view, a D*is projected that is two orders of magnitude greater than that of conventional semiconductor devices. The device offers the extremely high Q's (>105) associated with heterodyne detection while simultaneously offering a broad tuning range and an unlimited collection aperture. The anticipated performance characteristics of the AVQC are discussed, Experimental results in sodium and potassium have demonstrated the high Q and the tunability of the device. Electric field tuning of the wavelength response to CO2laser wavelengths spanning 23 cm-1has been accomplished. Applications of the AVQC involving the detection of low level laser radiation and molecular emission are discussed.
A new method for detecting far-infrared radiation is demonstrated. The far-infrared radiation induces transitions between highly excited (Rydberg) levels of Na. These transitions can be detected by selective field ionization. The method is capable of providing narrow-band detection with essentially continuous tuning throughout the infrared and far-infrared range. We have detected radiation from a laser source at 496 and 118 μ with a 1-MHz bandwidth. A noise equivalent power of 5×10−15 W/Hz1/2 was measured at 496 μ.
The atomic vapor quantum counter (AVQC) offers the potential for efficient upconversion of narrow-band IR radiation. This paper explores wavelength tuning of the AVQC by the application of an electric field (Stark effect). Model calculations indicate the Stark effect in combination with the proper selection of IR transitions in the atomic vapor can yield continuous tuning across the entire2-20 \mum spectral region. Experimental results near 10 μm have demonstrated over 23 cm-1tuning on a single potassium vapor transition. Thirteen CO2laser wavelengths were scanned in this fashion.
A study was made of the dependences of the efficiency of resonant parametric frequency conversion in sodium vapor on the infrared radiation wavelength, vapor density, and detuning from two-photon pump resonance. It was found in this conversion system that for each infrared wave the conversion efficiency had three maxima on tuning the frequency of two-photon pumping over the region of a forbidden transition. The principal maximum was realized for accurate two-photon resonance, and the two other maxima resulted from a rise in the cubic susceptibility close to single-photon sum-frequency resonances. A quantum efficiency of 35% was achieved for a 9.26 μ infrared wave.
A systematic analysis was made of the spectral characteristics of resonance four-photon parametric conversion of infrared radiation as a result of two-photon resonance pumping of the 3S–3D and 3S–5S transitions in sodium and the influence of these characteristics on the threshold sensitivity of a parametric conversion detector was investigated. An experimental study was made of the characteristics of the noise radiation generated as a result of hyperparametric scattering. The results obtained can be used to select the optimal parameters of high-sensitivity detectors of weak infrared signals by parametric conversion in alkali metal vapors.