Laser-based metastable krypton generation

Abstract

We demonstrate the generation of metastable krypton in the long-lived 1s5 state using laser excitation. The atoms are excited through a two-photon absorption process into the 2p6 state using a pulsed optical parametric oscillator laser operating near 215 nm, after which the atoms decay quickly into the metastable state with a branching ratio of 75 %. The interaction dynamics are modeled using density matrix formalism and, by combining this with experimental observations, we are able to calculate photo-ionization and two-photon absorption cross-sections. When compared to traditional approaches to metastable production, this new approach shows great potential for high-density metastable krypton production with minimal heating of the sample. Here, we show metastable production efficiencies of up to 2% per pulse. The new experimental results gained here, when combined with the density matrix model we have developed, suggest that fractional efficiencies up to 30% are possible under optimal conditions.

arXiv comment6 pages (including references), 6 figures, journal submission v2: formatting updated and corrections made, v3: minor corrections, v4: submitted version, v5: accepted version (minor revisions)

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Cited by in corpus (6)

• Observation of Dynamic Stark Resonances in Strong-Field Excitation
• Optical Excitation and Trapping of ${}^{81}$Kr
• Ellipticity Dependence of Excitation and Ionization of Argon Atoms by Short-Pulse Infrared Radiation
• Picosecond two-photon absorption laser induced fluorescence (ps-TALIF) in krypton: the role of photoionization on the density depletion of the fluorescing state Kr 5p'[3/2]${}_2$
• Maximizing optical production of metastable xenon
• A VUV light source for enhanced production of metastable krypton and xenon beams