23rd Annual Student Research Conference
Implementing a Dichroic Atomic Vapor Laser Lock for Use in Laser Cooling Gaseous Rb
Thomas C. Hogan
Dr. Michael Goggin, Faculty Mentor
We built an apparatus to lock an external-cavity diode laser (ECDL) to a specific wavelength as a prerequisite to laser cooling Rb. The level of precision to excite the desired Rb hyperfine transition necessitates a narrow-band (less than 1 MHz) source of laser light, achieved by carefully controlling external factors that determine the wavelength of the ECDL. The current through the laser, temperature of the setup, and feedback from the external cavity must be adjusted constantly to ensure a precise, narrow-band source. The dichoric atomic vapor laser lock (DAVLL) technique uses a magnetic field to separate different polarization states transmitted through the Rb cell. The difference between signals generated by the two types of polarizations is used as an error signal which is fed into a control circuit that adjusts current, temperature, and output angle, keeping the laser centered at a wavelength redshifted to that of the desired atomic transition.
Keywords: Physics, Optics, Laser, Atomic, Experimental, DAVLL
Topic(s):Physics
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 3-4
Location: MG 1096
Time: 8:45