Generation of coherent blue light in rubidium vapor: An advanced undergraduate laboratory

POSTER

Abstract

We describe an experiment for generating and characterizing coherent blue light in a rubidium vapor using two grating-feedback diode lasers. The lasers, operating at 780.2 nm and 776.0 nm respectively, provide step-wise excitation from the 5S ground state to the 5D excited state in rubidium. Cascade decay through the 6P state can produce a coherent beam of light at 420 nm. In this experiment, carried out in two different laboratories with different equipment, we investigate the spatial coherence and spectral characteristics of the blue beam under a variety of experimental conditions. This experiment provides advanced undergraduate physics students with a unique opportunity to investigate nonlinear optical phenomena in the laboratory. The equipment is similar to that used for saturated absorption spectroscopy in rubidium and can therefore be easily performed in laboratories with apparatus for that experiment.

Authors

  • Shannon Mayer

    University of Portland

  • C. Andreoiu

    University of Washington, Centre for Organic Photonics and Electronics, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, Centre for Organic Photonics and Electronics, School of Mathematics and Physics, University of Queensland, Department of Physics, Simon Fraser University, Dalhousie University, Faculty of Mathematics, University of Waterloo, Department of Physics, McMaster University, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Stanford University, Stanford University, IFW-Dresden, Northern Illinois University, University of British Columbia, University of Michigan, Simon Fraser University, Institute for Quantum Computing, University of Waterloo, Washington State University, The University of British Columbia, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Oregon State University, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Aixtron Ltd., Cornell University, TRIUMF, Society of Physics Students, Western Washington University, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Washington State University, University of Portland, Pacific University, University of Idaho, Department of Physics, University of Washington, Emory University, SFU, Arizona State University, Research Centre J\"ulich, University of Victoria, EPM, \'Ecole Polytechnique de Montr\'eal (EPM), Technical U of Denmark, Institute for Quantum Optics and Quantum Information of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Department of Physics, Portland State University, Portland, OR 97201, Department of Physics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, Department of Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, Linfield College, Portland State University, University of British Columbia Physics and Astronomy, University of British Columbia Chemistry, Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Simon Fraser, Los Alamos National Lab, Los Alamos, McGill University, Los Alamos National Laboratory, University of Cambridge, CSNSM-IN2P3-CNRS, University of Manitobia, Univ. of British Columbia and TRIUMF, Ruprecht-Karls-Universitat and MPI and TRIUMF, Westfaelische Wilhelms-Universitaet, Univ. of Manitoba and TRIUMF, Tenische Universitaet Muenchen and TRIUMF, Simon Fraser Univ. and TRIUMF, University of British Columbia, TRIUMF, Ruprecht-Karls-Universit\"at Heidelberg, Max Planck Institute, TRIUMF, Westf\"alische Wilhelms-Universit\"at, TRIUMF, Johannes Gutenberg-Universit\"at Mainz, Ruprecht-Karls-Universit\"at Heidelberg, Univerity of Manitoba, TRIUMF, Simon Fraser University, TRIUMF, TRIUMF \& University of Manitoba, College of William and Mary, Universidad Autonoma de San Luis Potosi, University of Maryland, University of Manitoba, UBC, Texas A\&M, University of Kentucky, Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Guelph, St. Mary's University

  • C. Andreoiu

    University of Washington, Centre for Organic Photonics and Electronics, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, Centre for Organic Photonics and Electronics, School of Mathematics and Physics, University of Queensland, Department of Physics, Simon Fraser University, Dalhousie University, Faculty of Mathematics, University of Waterloo, Department of Physics, McMaster University, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Stanford University, Stanford University, IFW-Dresden, Northern Illinois University, University of British Columbia, University of Michigan, Simon Fraser University, Institute for Quantum Computing, University of Waterloo, Washington State University, The University of British Columbia, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Oregon State University, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Aixtron Ltd., Cornell University, TRIUMF, Society of Physics Students, Western Washington University, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Washington State University, University of Portland, Pacific University, University of Idaho, Department of Physics, University of Washington, Emory University, SFU, Arizona State University, Research Centre J\"ulich, University of Victoria, EPM, \'Ecole Polytechnique de Montr\'eal (EPM), Technical U of Denmark, Institute for Quantum Optics and Quantum Information of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Department of Physics, Portland State University, Portland, OR 97201, Department of Physics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, Department of Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, Linfield College, Portland State University, University of British Columbia Physics and Astronomy, University of British Columbia Chemistry, Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Simon Fraser, Los Alamos National Lab, Los Alamos, McGill University, Los Alamos National Laboratory, University of Cambridge, CSNSM-IN2P3-CNRS, University of Manitobia, Univ. of British Columbia and TRIUMF, Ruprecht-Karls-Universitat and MPI and TRIUMF, Westfaelische Wilhelms-Universitaet, Univ. of Manitoba and TRIUMF, Tenische Universitaet Muenchen and TRIUMF, Simon Fraser Univ. and TRIUMF, University of British Columbia, TRIUMF, Ruprecht-Karls-Universit\"at Heidelberg, Max Planck Institute, TRIUMF, Westf\"alische Wilhelms-Universit\"at, TRIUMF, Johannes Gutenberg-Universit\"at Mainz, Ruprecht-Karls-Universit\"at Heidelberg, Univerity of Manitoba, TRIUMF, Simon Fraser University, TRIUMF, TRIUMF \& University of Manitoba, College of William and Mary, Universidad Autonoma de San Luis Potosi, University of Maryland, University of Manitoba, UBC, Texas A\&M, University of Kentucky, Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Guelph, St. Mary's University

  • C. Andreoiu

    University of Washington, Centre for Organic Photonics and Electronics, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, Centre for Organic Photonics and Electronics, School of Mathematics and Physics, University of Queensland, Department of Physics, Simon Fraser University, Dalhousie University, Faculty of Mathematics, University of Waterloo, Department of Physics, McMaster University, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Stanford University, Stanford University, IFW-Dresden, Northern Illinois University, University of British Columbia, University of Michigan, Simon Fraser University, Institute for Quantum Computing, University of Waterloo, Washington State University, The University of British Columbia, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Oregon State University, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Aixtron Ltd., Cornell University, TRIUMF, Society of Physics Students, Western Washington University, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Washington State University, University of Portland, Pacific University, University of Idaho, Department of Physics, University of Washington, Emory University, SFU, Arizona State University, Research Centre J\"ulich, University of Victoria, EPM, \'Ecole Polytechnique de Montr\'eal (EPM), Technical U of Denmark, Institute for Quantum Optics and Quantum Information of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Department of Physics, Portland State University, Portland, OR 97201, Department of Physics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, Department of Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, Linfield College, Portland State University, University of British Columbia Physics and Astronomy, University of British Columbia Chemistry, Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Simon Fraser, Los Alamos National Lab, Los Alamos, McGill University, Los Alamos National Laboratory, University of Cambridge, CSNSM-IN2P3-CNRS, University of Manitobia, Univ. of British Columbia and TRIUMF, Ruprecht-Karls-Universitat and MPI and TRIUMF, Westfaelische Wilhelms-Universitaet, Univ. of Manitoba and TRIUMF, Tenische Universitaet Muenchen and TRIUMF, Simon Fraser Univ. and TRIUMF, University of British Columbia, TRIUMF, Ruprecht-Karls-Universit\"at Heidelberg, Max Planck Institute, TRIUMF, Westf\"alische Wilhelms-Universit\"at, TRIUMF, Johannes Gutenberg-Universit\"at Mainz, Ruprecht-Karls-Universit\"at Heidelberg, Univerity of Manitoba, TRIUMF, Simon Fraser University, TRIUMF, TRIUMF \& University of Manitoba, College of William and Mary, Universidad Autonoma de San Luis Potosi, University of Maryland, University of Manitoba, UBC, Texas A\&M, University of Kentucky, Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Guelph, St. Mary's University

  • C. Andreoiu

    University of Washington, Centre for Organic Photonics and Electronics, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, Centre for Organic Photonics and Electronics, School of Mathematics and Physics, University of Queensland, Department of Physics, Simon Fraser University, Dalhousie University, Faculty of Mathematics, University of Waterloo, Department of Physics, McMaster University, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Stanford University, Stanford University, IFW-Dresden, Northern Illinois University, University of British Columbia, University of Michigan, Simon Fraser University, Institute for Quantum Computing, University of Waterloo, Washington State University, The University of British Columbia, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Oregon State University, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Aixtron Ltd., Cornell University, TRIUMF, Society of Physics Students, Western Washington University, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Washington State University, University of Portland, Pacific University, University of Idaho, Department of Physics, University of Washington, Emory University, SFU, Arizona State University, Research Centre J\"ulich, University of Victoria, EPM, \'Ecole Polytechnique de Montr\'eal (EPM), Technical U of Denmark, Institute for Quantum Optics and Quantum Information of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Department of Physics, Portland State University, Portland, OR 97201, Department of Physics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, Department of Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, Linfield College, Portland State University, University of British Columbia Physics and Astronomy, University of British Columbia Chemistry, Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Simon Fraser, Los Alamos National Lab, Los Alamos, McGill University, Los Alamos National Laboratory, University of Cambridge, CSNSM-IN2P3-CNRS, University of Manitobia, Univ. of British Columbia and TRIUMF, Ruprecht-Karls-Universitat and MPI and TRIUMF, Westfaelische Wilhelms-Universitaet, Univ. of Manitoba and TRIUMF, Tenische Universitaet Muenchen and TRIUMF, Simon Fraser Univ. and TRIUMF, University of British Columbia, TRIUMF, Ruprecht-Karls-Universit\"at Heidelberg, Max Planck Institute, TRIUMF, Westf\"alische Wilhelms-Universit\"at, TRIUMF, Johannes Gutenberg-Universit\"at Mainz, Ruprecht-Karls-Universit\"at Heidelberg, Univerity of Manitoba, TRIUMF, Simon Fraser University, TRIUMF, TRIUMF \& University of Manitoba, College of William and Mary, Universidad Autonoma de San Luis Potosi, University of Maryland, University of Manitoba, UBC, Texas A\&M, University of Kentucky, Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Guelph, St. Mary's University

  • C. Andreoiu

    University of Washington, Centre for Organic Photonics and Electronics, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, Centre for Organic Photonics and Electronics, School of Mathematics and Physics, University of Queensland, Department of Physics, Simon Fraser University, Dalhousie University, Faculty of Mathematics, University of Waterloo, Department of Physics, McMaster University, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Stanford University, Stanford University, IFW-Dresden, Northern Illinois University, University of British Columbia, University of Michigan, Simon Fraser University, Institute for Quantum Computing, University of Waterloo, Washington State University, The University of British Columbia, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Oregon State University, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Aixtron Ltd., Cornell University, TRIUMF, Society of Physics Students, Western Washington University, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Washington State University, University of Portland, Pacific University, University of Idaho, Department of Physics, University of Washington, Emory University, SFU, Arizona State University, Research Centre J\"ulich, University of Victoria, EPM, \'Ecole Polytechnique de Montr\'eal (EPM), Technical U of Denmark, Institute for Quantum Optics and Quantum Information of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Department of Physics, Portland State University, Portland, OR 97201, Department of Physics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, Department of Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, Linfield College, Portland State University, University of British Columbia Physics and Astronomy, University of British Columbia Chemistry, Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Simon Fraser, Los Alamos National Lab, Los Alamos, McGill University, Los Alamos National Laboratory, University of Cambridge, CSNSM-IN2P3-CNRS, University of Manitobia, Univ. of British Columbia and TRIUMF, Ruprecht-Karls-Universitat and MPI and TRIUMF, Westfaelische Wilhelms-Universitaet, Univ. of Manitoba and TRIUMF, Tenische Universitaet Muenchen and TRIUMF, Simon Fraser Univ. and TRIUMF, University of British Columbia, TRIUMF, Ruprecht-Karls-Universit\"at Heidelberg, Max Planck Institute, TRIUMF, Westf\"alische Wilhelms-Universit\"at, TRIUMF, Johannes Gutenberg-Universit\"at Mainz, Ruprecht-Karls-Universit\"at Heidelberg, Univerity of Manitoba, TRIUMF, Simon Fraser University, TRIUMF, TRIUMF \& University of Manitoba, College of William and Mary, Universidad Autonoma de San Luis Potosi, University of Maryland, University of Manitoba, UBC, Texas A\&M, University of Kentucky, Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Guelph, St. Mary's University

  • Andrew Dawes

    Pacific University