Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 4911-4924 |
| Number of pages | 14 |
| Journal | Physical Review A |
| Volume | 45 |
| Issue number | 7 |
| Publication status | Published - Apr 1992 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Abstract
In this paper we explore theoretically and experimentally the effect of fluctuations in the instantaneous frequency of a pulsed laser on the shape and position of two-photon transition spectra. The usual procedure of characterizing a pulsed laser by its frequency energy spectrum is insufficient for precision measurements. The nonlinear nature of the two-photon transition produces a systematic shift of the atomic spectrum with respect to the laser frequency spectrum that is dependent on the phase evolution of the laser pulse. In fact, any nonlinear process (e.g., second-harmonic generation) may result in displaced or distorted spectra. We also find that Fabry-Pérot filtering a laser pulse can result in large frequency chirps. We use an optical heterodyne technique to measure the instantaneous frequency of our excimer-pumped dye-laser system to an uncertainty of 1.3 MHz and determine the effect of the inherent frequency chirps of this system on a two-photon transition. We conclude that with this technique, precision nonlinear spectroscopy to the level of 1 MHz may be achieved with pulsed lasers.
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Physics and Astronomy(all)
- Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
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In: Physical Review A, Vol. 45, No. 7, 04.1992, p. 4911-4924.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Optical heterodyne measurement of pulsed lasers
T2 - Toward high-precision pulsed spectroscopy
AU - Fee, Michale S.
AU - Danzmann, K.
AU - Chu, Steven
PY - 1992/4
Y1 - 1992/4
N2 - In this paper we explore theoretically and experimentally the effect of fluctuations in the instantaneous frequency of a pulsed laser on the shape and position of two-photon transition spectra. The usual procedure of characterizing a pulsed laser by its frequency energy spectrum is insufficient for precision measurements. The nonlinear nature of the two-photon transition produces a systematic shift of the atomic spectrum with respect to the laser frequency spectrum that is dependent on the phase evolution of the laser pulse. In fact, any nonlinear process (e.g., second-harmonic generation) may result in displaced or distorted spectra. We also find that Fabry-Pérot filtering a laser pulse can result in large frequency chirps. We use an optical heterodyne technique to measure the instantaneous frequency of our excimer-pumped dye-laser system to an uncertainty of 1.3 MHz and determine the effect of the inherent frequency chirps of this system on a two-photon transition. We conclude that with this technique, precision nonlinear spectroscopy to the level of 1 MHz may be achieved with pulsed lasers.
AB - In this paper we explore theoretically and experimentally the effect of fluctuations in the instantaneous frequency of a pulsed laser on the shape and position of two-photon transition spectra. The usual procedure of characterizing a pulsed laser by its frequency energy spectrum is insufficient for precision measurements. The nonlinear nature of the two-photon transition produces a systematic shift of the atomic spectrum with respect to the laser frequency spectrum that is dependent on the phase evolution of the laser pulse. In fact, any nonlinear process (e.g., second-harmonic generation) may result in displaced or distorted spectra. We also find that Fabry-Pérot filtering a laser pulse can result in large frequency chirps. We use an optical heterodyne technique to measure the instantaneous frequency of our excimer-pumped dye-laser system to an uncertainty of 1.3 MHz and determine the effect of the inherent frequency chirps of this system on a two-photon transition. We conclude that with this technique, precision nonlinear spectroscopy to the level of 1 MHz may be achieved with pulsed lasers.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0001136753&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1103/PhysRevA.45.4911
DO - 10.1103/PhysRevA.45.4911
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:0001136753
VL - 45
SP - 4911
EP - 4924
JO - Physical Review A
JF - Physical Review A
SN - 1050-2947
IS - 7
ER -