Vacuum ultraviolet laser spectroscopy III: laboratory sources of coherent radiation tunable from 105 to 175 nm using Mg, Zn, and Hg vapors

Abstract

Nonlinear frequency mixing of laser radiation in Mg, Zn, and Hg vapors has produced coherent radiation, tunable over the range 175–104.5 nm in the vacuum ultraviolet. The resulting radiation is pulsed, monochromatic, and of sufficient intensity for use in high-resolution spectroscopy. Detailed descriptions are given of the dye oscillator–amplifier systems along with the heat-pipe ovens for producing stable densities of the metal vapors. Measurements of intensities, linewidths, and ranges of tunability are presented for each metal vapor.