Polarization spectroscopy of atomic erbium in a hollow cathode lamp

Abstract

In this work we perform polarization spectroscopy of erbium atoms in a hollow cathode lamp (HCL) for the stabilization of a diode laser to the 401-nm transition. We review the theory behind Doppler-free polarization spectroscopy, theoretically model the expected erbium polarization spectra, and compare the numerically calculated spectra to our experimental data. We further analyze the dependence of the measured spectra on the HCL current and the peak intensities of our pump and probe lasers to determine conditions for optimal laser stabilization.

Laser stabilization to neutral Yb in a discharge with polarization-enhanced frequency modulation spectroscopy

“…A reliable and cost-effective alternative to stabilize a UV laser is using atoms produced in the discharge of a hollow-cathode lamp (HCL). First demonstrated in 1970, 20 laser stabilization to a discharge has been extended to various atomic species, including neutral ytterbium, 21 erbium, [22][23][24] dysprosium, 25 chromium, 26 and strontium. 27 Several spectroscopy techniques using Yb have been reported in an atomic oven 28 or a discharge lamp including modulation transfer spectroscopy (MTS), 29 which uses non-linear four-wave mixing as well as dichroic atomic vapor laser locking (DAVLL).…”

Spectroscopy of neon for the advanced undergraduate laboratory

“…This technique has been applied in alkali-metal vapors, in gas discharges, and in hollow cathode lamps. [30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37] As we describe below, we use a hollow cathode lamp (HCL), but do not operate it as such. Instead, we create a radio-frequency discharge using the neon buffer gas that is in the lamp.…”