461nm laser for studies in ultracold neutral strontium

A 461 nm laser was constructed for the purposes of studying ultracold neutral strontium. The dipole-allowed 1 S0 → 1P1 transition at 460.862 nm can be used in laser cooling and trapping; optical imaging, Zeeman slowing, and photoassociative spectroscopy. We produce light at this wavelength by converting infrared light at 922nm from various IR sources, notably a Ti:Sapphire laser, via second harmonic generation in a frequency doubling cavity using a potassium niobate crystal. This thesis will discuss the motivation, optical resonator, locking electronics, and characterization of a 461 nm laser.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Natural Sciences

Grantor

Rice University

Year dc:date.issued

2005

Author dc:creator

• Saenz, Aaron D.

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Killian, Thomas C.

• Molecular physics
• Atomic physics
• Optics

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/1911/17913

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.rice.edu:1911/17913