External Cavity Diode Laser for Ultra-cold Atom Experiments
Author | : Benjamin Halkowski |
Publisher | : |
Total Pages | : 96 |
Release | : 2018 |
ISBN-10 | : OCLC:1048614293 |
ISBN-13 | : |
Rating | : 4/5 (93 Downloads) |
Book excerpt: This thesis describes the design, construction and characterization of an external cavity diode laser (ECDL) within the context of AMO research - specifically, ultracold rubidium experiments. The main benefit over other forms of laser light is the ECDL's low cost and narrow linewidth. Having a more narrow linewidth allows us to affect specific electron states, such as for laser cooling, more precisely than broader alternatives. We find that building such a laser in house is feasible with scan range up to 4 GHz. We also note that attention to external noise, through mechanical vibrations but more importantly through temperature drifts, is necessary to produce an ECDL with a stable optical frequency.