Optogalvanic Signal Research Articles

Laser photo-ionization study of nat Ag using opto-galvanic signal at SPES offline laser lab

Resonant Ionization Laser Ion Source (RILIS) is one of the most advancing techniques for the production of radioactive ion beams (RIBs) in ISOL facilities. SPES project at INFN-LNL is a second generation ISOL facility which aims to produce several isotopes in a couple of years. Within the framework of this project, resonant photo-ionization schemes of several elements are studied in the offline laser lab, to be later implemented in the SPES Laser Ion Source. Silver is one of the elements being studied for the stated purpose. In this article, we report a resonant photo-ionization scheme of silver tested with a hollow cathode lamp (HCL). Evidence of high lying Rydberg states around 60945.32 cm−1 has also been observed by studying the fast opto-galvanic signal detected.

Laser double optical resonance excitation-ionization of Mo with optogalvanic detection

We report on the first measurement of resonant three-step, two-colour ionization of atomic molybdenum, using a hollow cathode lamp (HCL) with optogalvanic detection. Wavelength scans were made for two specific transitions involved in the ionization pathways under investigation, namely 4d5(6S)5s 7S3–4d5(6S)5p 7P4 and 4d5(6S)5p 7P4–4d5(6S)6d 7D5. So-called ‘slow’ and ‘fast’ optogalvanic signals were respectively observed for each resonant quantum jump and for the simultaneous excitation of the two laser frequencies. This successful detection confirms the HCL as a cost effective spectroscopic investigation tool. In particular its use in the optogalvanic mode of operation allows one to precisely, easily and reliably tune the wavelength of one or more lasers to resonances of interest for experiments in the general domain of atomic vapour laser isotope selection (AVLIS). This activity has been undertaken in the framework of the Selective Production of Exotic Species (SPES) project at the ISOL facility of the Legnaro National Laboratories of INFN. These measurements are a necessary step towards the realization of the MOLAS subproject of SPES, whose aim is to verify the production of 99m technetium for medical application via laser ionization of the 99 uma isotope of Molibdenum.

Frequency and amplitude modulation of a cw-dye laser for measuring hyperfine frequency separations in optogalvanic spectra of 139La I.

This paper describes frequency modulation of a cw-dye laser to generate a frequency-discriminant dispersive signal by phase-sensitive detection of the optogalvanic signal in a lanthanum hollow cathode lamp. The frequencies of the six major hyperfine components in 5d26s4F9/2 (4121.572cm-1)----→579.13nm⁡5d26p4F9/2(21384.0cm-1) transition in 139La I were measured with an accuracy of 50 MHz, using a calibrated wavemeter after locking the cw-dye laser frequency to the dispersive error signal of the constituent hyperfine component. The measured hyperfine separations are found to be consistent with separations measured using the standard amplitude modulation technique and also with earlier reported results. The relative ease of the optical setup for locking of the cw-dye laser to optogalvanic spectra can be adapted to atomic physics applications for stabilization of laser frequency in the visible region.

Self-induced optogalvanic effect in a segmented hollow-cathode discharge

Optogalvanic (OG) interaction is simulated and studied in a segmented hollow-cathode discharge (SHCD). HCD-lamps are used to induce an OG signal by their own emission or by that of another lamp. The efficiency of the OG of a Ne/Cu HCD lamp in the range 320-380 nm is estimated theoretically. An irregular galvanic peak arising near the inflection point in the i-V curve (∂V/∂i<0) is detected. Its origin is related to Penning ionization of the sputtered cathode material.

Development of a see-through hollow cathode discharge lamp for (Li/Ne) optogalvanic studies.

Development of a demountable and see-through hollow cathode (HC) discharge lamp suitable for optogalvanic (OG) spectroscopy is described. The design of the HC lamp is simple, compact, and inexpensive. Lithium, investigated rarely by the OG method, is selected for cathode material as its isotopes are important for nuclear industry. The HC lamp is characterized electrically and optically for discharge oscillations free OG effect. Strong OG signals of lithium as well as neon (as buffer gas) are produced precisely upon copper vapor laser pumped tunable dye laser irradiation. The HC lamp is capable of generating a clean OG resonance spectrum in the available dye laser wavelength scanning range (627.5-676 nm) obtained with 4-(Dicyanomethylene)-2-methyl-6-(4-dimethylaminostyryl)-4H-pyran dye. About 28 resonant OG lines are explicitly observed. Majority of them have been identified using j-l coupling scheme and assigned to the well-known neon transitions. One line that corresponds to wavelength near about 670.80 nm is assigned to lithium and resolved for its fine (2S1/2 → 2P1/2, 3/2) transitions. These OG transitions allow 0.33 cm-1 accuracy and can be used to supplement the OG transition data available from other sources to calibrate the wavelength of a scanning dye laser with precision at atomic levels.

Optogalvanic effect and laser-induced current oscillations in hollow-cathode lamps

This paper presents a study of two commercial hollow-cathode lamps (HCLs) with the intention of demonstrating different phenomena in gas discharges. The optogalvanic effect in both HCLs is produced by a laser diode radiated at the wavelength that corresponds to neon transition 1s2–2p2 at 659.89 nm. The voltage–current characteristics of the lamps are explained using a classical theory of hollow-cathode discharge, while the optogalvanic signal is treated as a small perturbation of the discharge current. For certain values of voltage self-sustained current oscillations are observed in one of the HCLs. In the same HCL laser-induced optogalvanic dumped oscillations are detected. A phenomenological model that includes the effective circuit parameters of the discharge is used to explain the oscillation characteristics.

ToF diagnostic of Tin resonant laser photoionization in SPES laser offline laboratory

Tin is the principal element of interest in the SPES ISOL facility, which is under construction at Legnaro INFN Laboratories. Atomic nuclei have a shell structure in which nuclei with "magic numbers" of protons and neutrons are analogous to the noble gasses in atomic physics. In particular, recent theoretical studies, reveal double-magic nature of radioactive 132Sn. For this reason the nuclear physics community demonstrated, in the last years, a huge interest to produce and study this radioactive neutron rich isotope. Experiments on Tin laser resonant ionization have been performed in the offline SPES laser laboratory to investigate the capability of the new home-made Time of Flight (ToF) mass spectrometer. Several three-step, two color ionization schemes have been tested by comparing fast and slow optogalvanic signals from a Tin Hollow Cathode Lamp (HCL) and Time of Flight signals from the spectrometer. By scanning the wavelength of one of the two dye lasers across the specific resonance, comparisons of ionization signals from both the ToF and the HCL have been made, finding perfect agreement. Furthermore, with the mass spectrometer, resolved peaks of all the natural Tin isotopes have been detected. The natural abundances extracted from these measurements are in agreement with the table values for Tin isotopes. This work, with comparison of OGE and ToF signals, confirm the fully functional SPES offline laser laboratory capability in order to develop scheme studies also for the other possible Radioactive Ion Beam (RIB) elements.

Spatial distribution of the optogalvanic signal in a microplasma detector for lab-on-a-chip gas analysis

Gas sensors are characterized by their sensitivity and selectivity. This is preferably combined with versatility, where the selectivity can be altered, without complex modifications and whiteout losing sensitivity. If aimed at lab-on-a-chip applications, the sensor also must be able to analyze small samples. Today, sensors combining selectivity and versatility for chip-level gas analysis are scarce; however, this paper investigates how miniaturized optogalvanic spectroscopy can fill this gap. By studying the spatial distribution of the optogalvanic signal inside a microplasma, it is shown that the signal is generated in the minuscule gas volume of the sheath surrounding the plasma probe that collects it. Nevertheless, a strong and stable spectroscopic signal can be extracted from the sheath, and the sample concentrations can be calculated using straightforward plasma theory. The minimum detectable absorption and the noise equivalent absorption sensitivity of the system are estimated to be less than 1.4 × 10−9 Hz−0.5 and 2.8 × 10−9 cm−1 Hz−0.5, respectively, without cavity enhancement. Combined with inherited versatility from absorption spectroscopy and the capability of handling sub-nanogram samples, this makes optogalvanic spectrometry an excellent candidate for future lab-on-a-chip gas analyzers.

Nonselective and polarization effects in time-resolved optogalvanic spectroscopy

Three interfering effects in optogalvanic (OG) spectroscopy are identified in a hollow cathode discharge (HCD) - OG detector. The laser beam is found to generate two nonselective processes, namely photoelectron emission (PE) from the cathode surface with a sub-breakdown bias applied, and nonresonant space ionization. The convolution of these galvanic contributions was determined experimentally as an instrumental function and a deconvolution procedure to determine the actual OG signal was developed. Specific plasma conductance is detected dependent on the polarization of the laser beam irradiating. Linearly/circularly polarized light beam is found to induce OG signals differ in amplitude (and their shape parameters in the time-resolved OG signals (TROGS)). The phenomena coherence and specific conductance are found to be in causal relationship. The additional conductance due to coherent states of atoms manifests itself as an intrinsic instrumental property of OG detector.

First results on Ge resonant laser photoionization in hollow cathode lamp

In the framework of the research and development activities of the SPES project regarding the optimization of the radioactive beam production, a dedicated experimental study has been recently started in order to investigate the possibility of in-source ionization of germanium using a set of tunable dye lasers. Germanium is one of the beams to be accelerated by the SPES ISOL facility, which is under construction at Legnaro INFN Laboratories. The three-step, two color ionization schemes have been tested using a Ge hollow cathode lamp. The slow and the fast optogalvanic signals were detected and averaged by an oscilloscope as a proof of the laser ionization inside the lamp. As a result, several wavelength scans across the resonances of ionization schemes were collected with the fast optogalvanic signal. Some comparisons of ionization efficiency for different ionization schemes were made. Furthermore, saturation curves of the first excitation transitions have been obtained. This investigation method and the setup built in the laser laboratory of the SPES project can be applied for the photo-ionization scheme studies also for the other possible radioactive elements.

Long-term wavelength drift compensation of tunable pulsed dye laser for sodium detection lidar

Wavelength stabilization for a pulsed laser presents more challenges than that of continuous wave laser. We have developed a simple and efficient long-term wavelength drifts compensation technique for tunable pulsed dye lasers (PDL) applied in sodium detection lidar system. Wavelength calibration and locking are implemented by using optogalvanic (OG) spectroscopy in a Na hollow cathode lamp (HCL) in conjunction with a digital control software. Optimization of OG signals for better laser wavelength discrimination and feedback control is performed. Test results indicate that locking the multimode broadband PDL to the Na atomic transition corresponding to 589.158nm is well achieved although the temperature in the laboratory is unstable. Through active compensation, the maximum wavelength drift is reduced from over 5pm to 0.42pm in 10h and the maximum wavelength drift rate of the PDL is improved from 3.3pm/h to 0.3pm/h. It has been used to efficient sodium resonance fluorescence lidar detection. This technique is economical and easy to implement, and it provides flexible wavelength control and allows generalization for some other applications which require the wavelength of tunable pulsed lasers to be fixed at an atomic resonance transition references.

On the Conductance of the Gas Discharge Plasma at Space Anisotropic Excitation

AbstractThe galvanic manifestation of two transformations of degenerate magnetic states of the neon atom, namely self‐alignment → non‐alignment and alignment ↔ orientation is studied by monitoring the voltage across the discharge in a range of hollow cathode discharge (HCD) lamps. The application of a magnetic field to the discharge disorders the self‐alignment. Alignment and orientation are optically induced and their effect on the discharge conductance is compared by measuring the optogalvanic signals. The degenerate states investigated are found to contribute to the gas discharge conductance in a manner which depends on their degree of coherence. Various hollow cathode discharge media are studied including Ne/As, Ne/Cu, Ne/Ni, Ne/Cd, Ne/Li and Ne/Ca in the corresponding trademarked HCD spectral lamps. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH &amp; Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Studies on laser-assisted Penning ionization by the optogalvanic effect in Ne/Eu hollow cathode discharge

Laser-assisted Penning ionization (LAPI) is detected in a Ne/Eu hollow cathode (HC) discharge lamp using the pulsed optogalvanic (OG) method. In the Ne/Eu discharge, doubly ionized europium excited energy levels Eu[4f(7)(P(7/2,5/2)6)] lie within the thermal limit (∼kT) from the laser-excited neon's energy level [2p(5)(P3/202)3p or 2p(8) (in Paschen notation)] lying at 149,848 cm(-1). Therefore, Penning ionization (PI) of europium atoms likely to occur into its highly excited ionic states is investigated. To probe the PI of europium, the temporal profiles of its counterpart neon OG signal are studied as a function of discharge current for the transitions (1s(4)→2p(8)) and (1s(2)→2p(2)), corresponding to 650.65 and 659.89 nm wavelengths, respectively. It is observed that PI of europium alters the overall discharge characteristics significantly and, hence, modifies the temporal profile of the OG signals accordingly. The quasi-resonant ionizing energy transfer collisions between laser-excited Ne 2p(8) atoms and electronically excited europium P(9/2)10 atoms are used to explain the LAPI mechanism. Such LAPI studies carried out in HC discharge could be useful for the discharge of a metal-vapor laser with appropriate Penning mixtures.

Intracavity optogalvanic spectroscopy: Is there any evidence of a radiocarbon signal?

In 2008, the first report of an ultrasensitive method for ro-vibrational spectrometry of radiocarbon dioxide was published. The method, called intracavity optogalvanic spectroscopy (ICOGS), claimed a sensitivity and limit-of-detection comparable to accelerator mass spectroscopy. ICOGS was claimed to utilize the isotope-dependent ro-vibrational absorption lines of carbon dioxide in the infrared spectrum. In order to facilitate unambiguous detection of radiocarbon, the sample was placed inside the cavity of a radiocarbon dioxide laser. This intracavity approach was claimed to increase the sensitivity by seven orders of magnitude compared with traditional optogalvanic methods. However, despite the methodical and thorough efforts of several research groups worldwide, these claims have not been possible to reproduce. Instead, we have previously reported serious deviations from the original results, where we found that ICOGS suffers from considerable problems with the stability and reproducibility of the optogalvanic signal, and that misinterpretations of these uncertainties likely are the explanation for the claimed sensitivity in the first reports. Having identified the stability and reproducibility of the detection as major concerns, we decided to improve the setup by with state-of-the-art plasma source technology. Deploying a custom-made stripline split-ring resonator optogalvanic detector, we have now investigated the applicability of ICOGS to radiocarbon detection even further. Measurements have been made with a wide range of parameters including different gas mixtures at various pressures and wavelengths. We have also conducted measurements with gas flowing through the sample cell to investigate the effect of plasma induced decomposition of the sample. Still, we have seen no indications of a significant radiocarbon signal in a concentration range between 0.29 Modern and 9.7 Modern, i.e., the range of interest to the radiocarbon community. Hence, our conclusions after four years of working in this field, is that ICOGS is not a viable method for radiocarbon detection.

Improved optogalvanic detection with voltage biased Langmuir probes

Optogalvanic detectors show great potential for infrared spectroscopy, especially in cavity enhanced techniques where they, in contrast to ordinary absorption detectors, can perform intracavity measurements. This enables them to utilize the signal-to-noise ratio improvement gained from the extended effective path length inside an optical cavity, without losing signal strength due to the limited amount of light exiting through the rear mirror. However, if optogalvanic detectors are to become truly competitive, their intrinsic sensitivity and stability has to be improved. This, in turn, requires a better understanding of the mechanisms behind the generation of the optogalvanic signal. The study presented here focuses on an optogalvanic detector based on a miniaturized stripline split-ring resonator plasma source equipped with Langmuir probes for detecting the optogalvanic signal. In particular, the effect of applying a constant bias voltage to one of the probes is investigated, both with respect to the sensitivity and stability, and to the mechanism behind the generation of the signal. Experiments with different bias voltages at different pressures and gas composition have been conducted. In particular, two different gas compositions (pure CO2 and 0.25% CO2 in 99.75% N2) at six different pressures (100 Pa to 600 Pa) have been studied. It has been shown that probe biasing effectively improves the performance of the detector, by increasing the amplitude of the signal linearly over one order of magnitude, and the stability by about 40% compared with previous studies. Furthermore, it has been shown that relatively straightforward plasma theory can be applied to interpret the mechanism behind the generation of the signal, although additional mechanisms, such as rovibrational excitation from electron-molecule collisions, become apparent in CO2 plasmas with electron energies in the 1–6 eV range. With the achieved performance improvement and the more solid theoretical framework presented here, stripline split-ring resonator optogalvanic detectors can evolve into a compact, inexpensive, and easy-to-operate alternative for future infrared spectrometers.

Opto-galvanic effect on degenerate magnetic states of sputtered atoms in a glow discharge

The opto-galvanic response of some degenerate states of sputtered atoms to linearly- and circularly polarize light is studied. On the same optical transition both time-resolved- and amplitude opto-galvanic signals are found depending on the polarizations of light absorbed. The latter induces galvanic responses differing in opto-galvanic efficiency, time-evolution and sensitivity to discharge current and laser power. The differences are ascribed to the rate constants of the decay processes, characterizing aligned and oriented atoms.

Studies on pulsed optogalvanic effect in Eu/Ne hollow cathode discharge.

The optogalvanic (OG) effect has been observed in a Eu/Ne hollow cathode discharge lamp using pulsed laser irradiation. An OG spectrum is recorded in dye laser wavelength region 574–602 nm using a boxcar-averager. In total 41 atomic lines are observed. Of these, 38 lines are assigned to neon transitions. Two lines observed corresponding to wavelengths 576.519 and 601.815 nm are assigned to europium transitions; (4f 7 6s 2 , S 8 7/2 →4f 7 6s6p , zP 6 7/2 ) and (4f 7 6s 2 , S 8 7/2 →4f 7 6s6p , zP 8 9/2 ), respectively, and the remaining line at 582.475 nm could not be assigned. The effect of the discharge current on europium as well as neon OG signals is also studied. At moderate discharge current values, an extra positive peak is observed in neon OG signal for the transition (1s 5 →2p 2 ) at 588.189 nm, which is explained by Penning-ionization process using the quasi-resonant energy transfer interactions between excited neon and europium atoms lying in 2p 2 and D 10 9/2 states, respectively.

Galvanic manifestation of coherent degenerate Zeeman sublevels in a gas discharge

The degenerate Zeeman sublevels were found to contribute to the ionization in a gas discharge in accordance with their coherent state. The voltage across the discharge was monitored while the same ensemble of excited atoms was alternately self-aligned ↔ nonaligned or oriented ↔ aligned. In the latter case, the coherence was optically induced; the corresponding opto-galvanic signals, i.e. amplitude- and time-resolved ones, were compared. Each state of the ensemble of degenerate Zeeman sublevels, i.e. (self-) aligned, oriented or disordered was characterized by its own rate of ionization. Various hollow cathode discharge (HCD) media were studied, namely, Ne/As, Ne/Cu, Ne/Ni, Ne/Cd, Ne/Li and Ne/Si in the corresponding commercial HCD spectral lamps.

Studies on inverse optogalvanic and Penning ionization effects in ytterbium and neon transitions in Yb-Ne hollow cathode lamp

This paper presents novel observations on inverse optogalvanic effect in Yb transition at 679.9nm (3P1→3S1) in contrast with the observed normal optogalvanic effect at 648.9nm (3P0→3S1) transition and Penning ionization in Yb-Ne mixture by probing Ne transitions at 626.65 (1s3→2p5), 633.44 (1s5→2p8), 650.65 (1s4→2p8) and 659.89nm (1s2→2p2) in Yb-Ne hollow cathode lamp. These conclusions are derived by studying the optogalvanic signals temporal profile probed by DCM dye based narrow line-width ~2GHz, short pulse ~20ns, high repetition rate 5.0kHz tunable dye laser, as a function of discharge current. The observed inverse optogalvanic effect is attributed to the transfer of Yb population in the level 3P0 through radiative decay from the upper level 3S1 of the transition. This proposition is confirmed by recording the emission spectra of Yb-Ne hollow cathode lamp. The Penning ionization signature in Ne optogalvanic signals is due to the quasi-resonances between Yb and Ne energy levels. Penning signature observed in optogalvanic signal of Ne transition at 650.65nm is unique and attributed to the increase in concentration of Ne metastable level 1s5 through radiative decay from the 2p8 level.

Studies on the Optogalvanic Effect and Isotope-Selective Excitation of Ytterbium in a Hollow Cathode Discharge Lamp Using a Pulsed Dye Laser

This paper presents studies on the pulsed optogalvanic effect and isotope-selective excitation of Yb 555.648 nm (0 cm(-1) → 17 992.007 cm(-1)) and 581.067 nm (17 992.007 cm(-1) → 35 196.98 cm(-1)) transitions, in a Yb/Ne hollow cathode lamp. The Yb atoms were excited by narrow linewidth (500-1000 MHz) Rh110 and Rh6G dye based pulsed lasers. Optogalvanic signal inversion for ground state transition at 555.648 nm was observed beyond a hollow cathode discharge current of 8.5 mA, in contrast to normal optogalvanic signal at 581.067 nm up to maximum current of 14 mA. The isotope-selective excitation studies of Yb were carried out by recording Doppler limited optogalvanic signals as a function of dye laser wavelength. For the 581.067 nm transition, three even isotopes, (172)Yb, (174)Yb, and (176)Yb, and one odd isotope, (171)Yb, were clearly resolved. These data were compared with selective isotope excitation by 10 MHz linewidth continuous-wave dye laser. For 555.648 nm transition, isotopes were not clearly resolved, although isotope peaks of low modulation were observed.