CW-Dye laser spectrometer for ultrahigh resolution spectroscopy: Design and performance

Abstract

Ultrahigh resolution cw dye laser spectrometer system using self frequency stabilised and temperature compensated piano-confocal reference cavity is described. The one way propagation is achieved by wavelength independent optical diode. The laser frequency selection and tuning is accomplished by a new development of Mach-Zehnder interferometer of free spectral range 42.5 GHz. In combination with computerised tunable radio frequency technique, the system capable of a resolution of about ± 1 KHz. Application on measureing high lying, weakly occupied metastable states of free atoms of Vanadium-51 is investigated, and high precision results is discussed.