External Cavity Diode Laser For Use In Precision Hydrogen Spectroscopy

POSTER

Abstract

Using custom machined and commercial parts, an external cavity diode laser (ECDL) with a wavelength of 656 nm was designed, assembled, and optimized for stable frequency and single-mode operation. The ECDL was successfully assembled and tested using multiple optical setups including a grating-based ECDL in a standard Littrow configuration, and using a more recently adopted cat-eye retroreflector configuration. We will compare the performance of both arrangements and discuss the application of this ECDL to address the hydrogen 2S-3P transition in future hydrogen laser spectroscopy. Specifically, this laser may be used to cancel the AC Stark shift when performing two-photon spectroscopy of hydrogen Rydberg states.

*We thankfully acknowledge funding through grants from the John Templeton Foundation and Northwestern University, NSF Career Grant No. 1654425 and NSF Grant No. 2207298, and the McNair Scholar Program.

Presenters

  • Michael R Weiss

    • Colorado State University

Authors

  • Michael R Weiss

    • Colorado State University

  • Ryan Buillis

    • Colorado State University

  • William Tavis

    • Colorado State University

  • Joshua Cisneros

    • Colorado State University

  • Berkley Weyer

    • Colorado State University

  • Scott Johnson

    • Colorado State University

  • Dylan C Yost

    • Colorado State University