A laser system for the excitation of rubidium Rydberg states using second harmonic generation in a PPLN waveguide crystal

TL;DR

This paper presents a laser system at 495 nm for exciting rubidium Rydberg states, utilizing second harmonic generation in a PPLN waveguide, achieving high power and verified by spectroscopy.

Contribution

It introduces a new laser system based on frequency doubling in a PPLN waveguide for rubidium Rydberg excitation, demonstrating high power and spectral precision.

Findings

Achieved 35 mW output power at 495 nm

Confirmed single frequency operation via two-photon spectroscopy

Measured fine structure splitting consistent with theory

Abstract

We report on a laser system at a wavelength of 495 nm which is suitable for the excitations of low lying Rydberg states of rubidium atoms. The system is based on frequency doubling of a seeded diode laser in a periodically poled waveguide crystal. We achieve an output power of up to 35 mW and prove the single frequency performance by direct two photon laser spectroscopy of the rubidium 14D_5/2 and 14D_3/2 states. The measured fine structure splitting is consistent with quantum defect theory calculations.