Sum-frequency generation of 589 nm light with near-unit efficiency

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a highly efficient sum-frequency generation laser source at 589 nm, achieving near-unit conversion efficiency and high stability, suitable for atomic cooling and trapping applications.

Contribution

It presents a novel high-efficiency, stable 589 nm laser source using sum-frequency generation with approximately 90% conversion efficiency.

Findings

Achieved 800 mW output power at 589 nm

Converted roughly 90% of 1319 nm photons

Source stability suitable for atomic cooling

Abstract

We report on a laser source at 589 nm based on sum-frequency generation of two infrared laser at 1064 nm and 1319 nm. Output power as high as 800 mW are achieved starting from 370 mW at 1319 nm and 770 mW at 1064 nm, corresponding to converting roughly 90% of the 1319 nm photons entering the cavity. The power and frequency stability of this source are ideally suited for cooling and trapping of sodium atoms.