Optical pumping

Principle

The visible light of a semiconductor diode laser is used to excite the neodymium atoms within a Nd-YAG (NeodymiumYttrium Aluminium Garnet) rod. The power output of the semiconductor diode laser is first recorded as a function of the injection current. The fluorescent spectrum of the Nd-YAG rod is then determined and the maon absorption lines of the Nd-atoms are verified. Conclusively, the mean life-time of the4F3/2-level of the Nd-atoms is measured in approximation.

Tasks

1. To determine the power output of the semiconductor diode laser as a function of the injection current.
2. To trace the fluorescent spectrum of the Nd-YAG rod pumped by the diode laser and to verify the main absorption lines of neodymium.
3. To measure the mean life-time of the 4F3/2-level of the Nd-atoms.
4. For further applications see experiment 2.6.09 "Nd-YAG laser".

What you can learn about

• Spontaneous emission
• Induced emission
• Mean lifetime of a metastable state
• Relaxation
• Inversion
• Diode laser

Literature for this article als follows

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