Tunable, frequency narrowed Nd 3+-doped fiber laser for excitation of the 5p 2P [formula omitted]-4d 2D [formula omitted] transition in Sr +

Abstract

A narrow linewidth, cw Nd 3+ doped fiber laser is described for application to the excitation of the 1092 nm, 5p 2P 1 2 -4d 2 D 3 2 transition in Sr +. The laser incorporates a gradient-index lens as an intra-cavity beam collimator and employs a grating together with a series of etalons as frequency selective and tuning elements. Tunable laser output in the region of 940 nm is also described. A demonstration of excitation on the Sr + transition is shown by observing the optical pumping of Sr + in an optogalvanic discharge.