Demonstration of a dual-wavelength alkali laser with a mixed rubidium–cesium vapor cell

Abstract

A new-style dual-wavelength laser system with a mixed rubidium–cesium (Rb–Cs) vapor cell has been experimentally constructed in this study. Based on an enhanced kinetic model, the cross relaxation rates, representing energy transfer between Rb and Cs atoms, has been theoretically proved to be negligible. The dual-wavelength Rb–Cs laser has been obtained when the cell was simultaneously pumped by the lasers at 780.012 nm and 852.063 nm. It has been revealed that the properties of the dual-wavelength outputted laser can be influenced by the cell temperature, the concentration ratio of the Rb to Cs media in the mixed vapor cell, and the time domain modulation mode of the Rb and Cs pump for such a dual-wavelength Rb–Cs laser. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a dual-wavelength lasing system with a single mixed vapor cell for the research of alkali lasers.