Frequency Tunable Femtosecond Laser System for Magnetometry and Stand Off-Detection
Abstract
Abstract-Publically Releasable Program Director: Stephen J. Potashnik, PhD. NSWCCD 753 / ONR 321MS Recent ONR sponsored research at Princeton has demonstrated the use of multiphoton pumping, Radar-REMPI and backward lasing from natural atmospheric species for coherent stand-off detection applications. The research has concentrated on the use of xenon 129 and hydrogen for magnetometry and the use of oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, and argon for standoff detection of trace species. So far successful backward lasing has been achieved in all the species listed, but only for oxygeni, nitrogenii and hydrogeniii in natural air. The molecular dissociation requirement is eliminated if an inert atomic gas such as argon or krypton can be utilized. For magnetometry, Xe129 is the most promising due to the long spin orientation lifetime. To date we have achieved backward lasing from 10% argon in air and from 10 parts per million (ppm) of xenon in air, and xenon has been detected at levels below 1 ppm with Radar-REMPI. The proposed laser system will enable further extension of the detection limits and potentially allow achieving concentration levels corresponding to natural concentrations in the atmosphere: 27 parts-per-billion (ppb) for xenon 129, 1 ppm of krypton and 0.93% for argon. This will permit the detection of spin polarized Xe129 for magnetometry and low noise backward lasing from argon and krypton for stand off trace detection. The proposed system will also facilitate further studies of spin polarized hydrogen as a candidate for magnetometry.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jan 04, 2017
- Source ID
- N000141712168
Entities
People
- Richard B. Miles
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- Trustees of Princeton University
- United States Navy