Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics

Fraunhofer/wavelength atomic resonance filter

Jerry A. Gelbwachs

Published Apr 25, 1988• 0 citations
OpenAlex

Abstract

The atomic resonance filter (ARF) is art ultra- high-Q (105–106) optical filter that is isotropic and insensitive to environmental factors and possesses a 180° acceptance angle.1 We are developing a novel ARF for satellite applications. Our filter operates in a Fraunhofer dip in the solar spectrum, thereby offering the key advantage of reduced solar background noise. Other important operational characteristics of the filter are: a projected conversion efficiency of blue-green light into the wavelength-shifted output light of ~90%, a 10-ns response time, and an output in the near UV, a spectral region that is efficiently detected by commercial large-area long-lived photomultiplier tubes.

Related papers

Atomic resonance filters

Jerry A. Gelbwachs

The atomic resonance filter (ARF) is an ultranarrowband (Q approximately 10/sup 5/-10/sup 6/), large-acceptance-angle, isotropic optical filter. These features make the device ideally suited for applications in which weak laser signals are detected against a continuum background. The filter properties arise from the physical processes of absorption, emission, and internal energy conversion in atomic vapors. The characteristics of the ARF are described and the underlying physics that governs the operation is discussed. Representative examples of passive, active, and IR filters are presented. A metastable ARF that offers improved solar background-limited performance by filtering signals at Fraunhofer wavelengths is described.>

IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics•Jul 1, 1988•88 citations

Proposed Fraunhofer-wavelength atomic filter at 5349 nm

Jerry A. Gelbwachs

A new atomic filter is proposed. It operates at 534.9 nm. The new filter offers two important advantages for openchannel laser communications. First, its wavelength matches the output of the frequency-doubled Nd:BEL laser. Second, the filter overlays a solar Fraunhofer line, thereby offering intrinsic sunlight suppression. Ultranarrowband optical filtering takes place within the singlet manifold of neutral-calcium vapor. Excellent filter properties are deduced from spectroscopic examination of the atomic system. A novel feature of the new filter is the potential for greater-than-unity internal photon conversion.

Optics Letters•Oct 15, 1990•7 citations

4227-nm atomic filter with superior solar background rejection

Jerry A. Gelbwachs

A novel atomic resonance filter with powerful solar background rejection is proposed. The filter wavelength matches the g Fraunhofer line at 422.7 nm. Atomic filtering occurs within the singlet manifold of neutral calcium. Superior sunlight discrimination arises mainly from two factors: overlay with an intense Fraunhofer line and signal levels devoid of fine and hyperfine structures. The new filter should exhibit high throughput and low noise.

Optics Letters•Feb 15, 1990•11 citations

Fast efficient Ca atomic resonance filter at 423 nm

Frederick G. Walther

An optically pumped active Ca atomic resonance filter is demonstrated, applicable to background-limited optical communications through scatter channels. In pump saturation, the filter should detect 50% of the incident 423-nm signal power with an internal photon gain of 6 and a response time of 10 micros, 2 orders of magnitude faster than a passive Ca filter. Response time of 100 micros has been demonstrated, limited by available pump power. The filter maintains the wide field of view and reduced solar background associated with atomic absorption at the Ca Fraunhofer line while permitting higher data rate communications.

Optics Letters•Nov 15, 1992•0 citations

Cesium Atomic Resonance Filter

B. Batdorf, Mike Jacobson, Angus Macleod

Atomic resonance filters (ARF) have the unique property of simultaneously being wide angle and extremely narrowband. ARFs depend on atomic excitation of a contained gas at one wavelength and the fluorescence at a longer wavelength. By sandwiching the gas between two edge filters (the input filter transmitting at and below the excitation wavelength and the output filter transmitting at and above the fluorescence wavelength) the combination has throughput only from the gas resonance.

Annual Meeting Optical Society of America•Jan 1, 1990•0 citations

Passive Fraunhofer-wavelength atomic filter at 460.7 nm

Jerry A. Gelbwachs, Y. C. Chan

A passive Fraunhofer-wavelength atomic filter in the spectral region of minimum seawater attenuation is reported. Signal light at 460.7 nm is strongly absorbed by strontium atoms contained in a heated vapor cell. Collisions with rare gases transfer population into the Sr(5p/sup 3/P/sub j/) level, which subsequently emits 689.3-nm photons. Up to 45% photon conversion efficiency was recorded. The strontium filter exhibits a 50- mu s decay time and a single noise passband.>

IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics•Jan 1, 1992•15 citations
The atomic resonance filter (ARF) is art ultra- high-Q (105–106) optical filter that is isotropic and insensitive to environmental factors and possesses a 180° acceptance angle.1 We are developing a novel ARF for satellite applications. Our filter operates in a Fraunhofer dip in the solar spectrum, thereby offering the key advantage of reduced solar background noise. Other important operational characteristics of the filter are: a projected conversion efficiency of blue-green light into the wavelength-shifted output light of ~90%, a 10-ns response time, and an output in the near UV, a spectral region that is efficiently detected by commercial large-area long-lived photomultiplier tubes.
The atomic resonance filter (ARF) is an ultranarrowband (Q approximately 10/sup 5/-10/sup 6/), large-acceptance-angle, isotropic optical filter. These features make the device ideally suited for applications in which weak laser signals are detected against a continuum background. The filter properties arise from the physical processes of absorption, emission, and internal energy conversion in atomic vapors. The characteristics of the ARF are described and the underlying physics that governs the operation is discussed. Representative examples of passive, active, and IR filters are presented. A metastable ARF that offers improved solar background-limited performance by filtering signals at Fraunhofer wavelengths is described.>
A new atomic filter is proposed. It operates at 534.9 nm. The new filter offers two important advantages for openchannel laser communications. First, its wavelength matches the output of the frequency-doubled Nd:BEL laser. Second, the filter overlays a solar Fraunhofer line, thereby offering intrinsic sunlight suppression. Ultranarrowband optical filtering takes place within the singlet manifold of neutral-calcium vapor. Excellent filter properties are deduced from spectroscopic examination of the atomic system. A novel feature of the new filter is the potential for greater-than-unity internal photon conversion.
An optically pumped active Ca atomic resonance filter is demonstrated, applicable to background-limited optical communications through scatter channels. In pump saturation, the filter should detect 50% of the incident 423-nm signal power with an internal photon gain of 6 and a response time of 10 micros, 2 orders of magnitude faster than a passive Ca filter. Response time of 100 micros has been demonstrated, limited by available pump power. The filter maintains the wide field of view and reduced solar background associated with atomic absorption at the Ca Fraunhofer line while permitting higher data rate communications.