We describe an experiment for generating and characterizing a beam of collimated blue light (CBL) in a rubidium vapor. Two low-power, grating-feedback diode lasers, operating at 780.2 nm () and 776.0 nm (), respectively, provide step-wise excitation to the 5D excited state in rubidium. Under the right experimental conditions, cascade decay through the 6P excited state will yield a collimated blue (420-nm) beam of light with high temporal and spatial coherence. We investigate the production of a blue beam under a variety of experimental conditions and characterize the spatial coherence and spectral characteristics. This experiment provides advanced undergraduate students with a unique opportunity to investigate nonlinear optical phenomena in the laboratory and uses equipment that is commonly available in laboratories equipped to investigate diode-laser-based absorption spectroscopy in rubidium.
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June 2013
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June 01 2013
Collimated blue light generation in rubidium vapor Available to Purchase
Marcus B. Kienlen;
Marcus B. Kienlen
Department of Physics, Pacific University
, Forest Grove, Oregon 97116
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Noah T. Holte;
Noah T. Holte
Department of Physics, Pacific University
, Forest Grove, Oregon 97116
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Hunter A. Dassonville;
Hunter A. Dassonville
Department of Physics, Pacific University
, Forest Grove, Oregon 97116
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Andrew M. C. Dawes;
Andrew M. C. Dawes
Department of Physics, Pacific University
, Forest Grove, Oregon 97116
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Kurt D. Iversen;
Kurt D. Iversen
Department of Physics, University of Portland
, Portland, Oregon 97203
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Ryan M. McLaughlin;
Ryan M. McLaughlin
Department of Physics, University of Portland
, Portland, Oregon 97203
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Shannon K. Mayer
Shannon K. Mayer
Department of Physics, University of Portland
, Portland, Oregon 97203
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Marcus B. Kienlen
Noah T. Holte
Hunter A. Dassonville
Andrew M. C. Dawes
Kurt D. Iversen
Ryan M. McLaughlin
Shannon K. Mayer
Department of Physics, Pacific University
, Forest Grove, Oregon 97116Am. J. Phys. 81, 442–449 (2013)
Article history
Received:
June 07 2012
Accepted:
February 27 2013
Citation
Marcus B. Kienlen, Noah T. Holte, Hunter A. Dassonville, Andrew M. C. Dawes, Kurt D. Iversen, Ryan M. McLaughlin, Shannon K. Mayer; Collimated blue light generation in rubidium vapor. Am. J. Phys. 1 June 2013; 81 (6): 442–449. https://doi.org/10.1119/1.4795311
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