David Shiner

Determination of the Fine Structure Constant Using Helium Fine Structure

We measure 31,908,131.25(30) kHz for the 2(3)}P J=0 to 2 fine structure interval in helium. The difference between this and theory to order mα7 (20 Hz numerical uncertainty) implies 0.22(30) kHz for uncalculated terms. The measurement is performed by using atomic beam and electro-optic laser techniques. Various checks include a 3He 2{3}S hyperfine measurement. We can obtain an independent value for the fine structure constant α with a 5 ppb experimental uncertainty. However, dominant mα8 terms (potentially 1.2 kHz) limit the overall uncertainty to a less competitive 20 ppb in α.

Blue laser via IR resonant doubling with 71% fiber to fiber efficiency

We report on high efficiency resonant doubling to 486 nm using periodically poled KTP. The IR laser source is an FBG stabilized semiconductor laser with a maximum polarization maintaining (PM) fiber coupled output of 840 mW. An output power of 680 mW at 486 nm was obtained from our optimized cavity, giving net efficiency of 81%. Also, we report an 87.5% net efficiency in coupling of this blue light from the servo locked cavity into a single-mode PM fiber. This gives a total of 71% fiber to fiber efficiency. Furthermore, a wall plug efficiency of 21.4% was obtained.

Evaluation of a 486 nm single frequency source using an MgO:PPLN waveguide doubled semiconductor laser

A 972 nm semiconductor butterfly laser is stabilized with a fiber grating to single frequency (600 mW) and doubled in a MgO:PPLN waveguide (90 mW) for evaluation as a simple laser source for precision spectroscopy.

0.5W CW single frequency blue at 486 nm via SHG with net conversion of 81.5% from the NIR using a 30mm PPMgO:SLT crystal in a resonant cavity

A single frequency fiber Bragg grating (FBG) stabilized laser at 972 nm is coupled into a doubling ring cavity with an optical length of 138 mm, a 91% input coupler, a 30 mm long Brewster cut magnesium doped periodically poled lithium tantalate (PPMgO:SLT) crystal and a high reflector. The cavity buildup is 37 and loss is 0.63%. The cavity is monitored, controlled and locked with a single chip processor. With IR power of 572 mW in the input fiber, 466 mW blue output is obtained, giving 81.5% net efficiency. The blue and IR beams are separated by refraction at the crystal’s Brewster surface with negligible loss and without the need for dichroic optics.

Precision atomic spectroscopy with an integrated electro-optic modulator

We have explored the use of recently developed high speed integrated electro optic modulators and DBR diode lasers as a tool for precision laser studies of atoms. In particular, we have developed a technique using a high speed modulator as a key element and applied it to the study of the fine structure of the 23P state of atomic helium. This state has been of long standing interest in atomic physics and its study has been the aim of several recent experiments using various precision techniques. We present our method and results, which will describe a new method for determining the fine structure constant, and lead to a precision test of atomic theory.