Collisional quenching and radiation trapping kinetics for Rb(5p) in the presence of ethane

David A. Hostutler; Gordon D. Hager; Michael C. Heaven

doi:10.1117/12.801721

12 May 2008 Collisional quenching and radiation trapping kinetics for Rb(5p) in the presence of ethane

David A. Hostutler, Gordon D. Hager, Michael C. Heaven

Proceedings Volume 7005, High-Power Laser Ablation VII; 700522 (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.801721
Event: High-Power Laser Ablation 2008, 2008, Taos, New Mexico, United States

Abstract

Optically pumped alkali vapor lasers have been constructed using excitation of the D₂ line (²P_3/2-²S_1/2) followed by lasing on the D₁ line (²P_1/2-²S_1/2). Collisional relaxation is used to transfer population from ²P_3/2 to the ²P_1/2 level. The collision partner used for this step must have a large cross section for inducing transfer between the ²P_J levels, combined with a very small cross section for electronic quenching of the form M(²P_J)+Q→M(²S_1/2)+Q (where M is an alkali metal and Q is the energy transfer agent). Ethane has proved to be an effective energy transfer agent for optically pumped Rb and Cs lasers. However, modeling of data for the Rb/C₂H₆ laser with the literature value for the quenching rate constant was unsuccessful. We have reexamined the quenching of Rb(²P_J) by C₂H₆ using time-resolved fluorescence techniques. Radiation trapping was significant under the conditions of our measurements, and an analysis of the interplay between the kinetics of trapping and quenching was carried out. It was found that quenching of Rb(²P_J) by C₂H₆ was very inefficient. The upper bound established for the quenching cross section was two orders of magnitude lower than that indicated by the previous determination.

Citation Download Citation

David A. Hostutler, Gordon D. Hager, and Michael C. Heaven "Collisional quenching and radiation trapping kinetics for Rb(5p) in the presence of ethane", Proc. SPIE 7005, High-Power Laser Ablation VII, 700522 (12 May 2008); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.801721

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