Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “optical pumping”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 73 records · Page 4
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2026

Hyperfine spectroscopy and laser cooling of the fermionic isotopes 47 Ti and 49 Ti

Here, we report on magneto-optical trapping of the two fermionic isotopes of atomic titanium, 47 Ti and 49 Ti . Unlike the even mass-number isotopes, which were recently laser cooled, 47 Ti and 49 Ti have nonzero nuclear spins and, consequently, their atomic levels are split by hyperfine structure. Combining and comparing theoretical calculations and atomic beam-spectroscopy measurements, we determine the hyperfine structures and isotope shifts of the 3⁢𝑑 2 ⁢4⁢𝑠 2 𝑎 3 ⁢𝐹 4 → 3⁢𝑑 2 ⁢( 3 𝑃)⁢4⁢𝑠⁢4⁢𝑝⁢( 3 𝑃 𝑜 ) 𝑦 5 ⁢𝐷$^o_4$ optical-pumping transition at optical wavelength 391 nm and the 3⁢𝑑 3 ⁢(4𝐹)⁢4⁢𝑠 𝑎 5 ⁢𝐹 5 → 3⁢𝑑 3 ⁢( 4 𝐹)⁢4⁢𝑝 𝑦 5 ⁢𝐺$^𝑜_6$ laser-cooling transition at wavelength 498 nm. With this information, we produce magneto-optical traps of both 47 Ti and 49 Ti by applying two additional tones of light to repump atoms to the maximum-spin states on the laser-cooling transition. Directly loading from the atomic flux of a titanium sublimation pump, we produce 47 Ti and 49 Ti traps with 731(190) and 1142(240) atoms, and with lifetimes of 330⁢(15) and 310⁢(8)⁢ ms, respectively.

atomic spectra↗
DOE OSTI2023

Strongly Correlated Exciton-Magnetization System for Optical Spin Pumping in CrBr 3 and CrI 3 .

Ferromagnetism in van der Waals systems, preserved down to a monolayer limit, attracted attention to a class of materials with general composition CrX 3 (X=I, Br, Cl), which are treated now as canonical two-dimensional ferromagnets. Their diverse magnetic properties, such as different easy axes or varying and controllable character of in-plane or interlayer ferromagnetic coupling, make them promising candidates for spintronic, photonic, optoelectronic, and other applications. Still, significantly different magneto-optical properties between the three materials, have been presenting a challenging puzzle for researchers over the last few years. Herewith, we demonstrate that despite similar structural and magnetic configurations, the coupling between excitons and magnetization is qualitatively different in CrBr 3 and CrI 3 films. Through a combination of the optical spin pumping experiments with the state-of-the-art theory describing bound excitonic states in the presence of magnetization, we concluded that the hole-magnetization coupling has the opposite sign in CrBr 3 and CrI 3 and also between the ground and excited exciton state. Consequently, we demonstrate efficient spin pumping capabilities in CrBr 3 driven by magnetization via spin-dependent absorption and unraveled the different origins of the magnetic hysteresis in CrBr 3 and CrI 3 are unraveled

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Colloidal quantum dot lasers

We report semiconductor nanocrystals represent a promising class of solution-processable optical-gain media that can be manipulated via inexpensive, easily scalable colloidal techniques. Due to their extremely small sizes (typically <10 nm), their properties can be directly controlled via effects of quantum confinement; therefore, they are often termed colloidal quantum dots (CQDs). In addition to size-tunable emission wavelengths, CQDs offer other benefits for lasing applications, including low optical-gain thresholds and high temperature stability of lasing characteristics. Recent progress in understanding and practical control of processes impeding light amplification in CQDs has resulted in several breakthroughs, including the demonstration of optically pumped continuous-wave lasing, the realization of optical gain with direct current electrical injection and the development of dual-function electroluminescent devices that also operate as optically pumped lasers. The purpose of this Review is to assess the status of the field of CQD lasing and discuss the existing challenges and opportunities. A particular focus is on approaches for suppressing nonradiative Auger recombination, novel optical-gain concepts enabled by strong exciton-exciton interactions and controlled CQD charging, effects of nanocrystal form factors on light amplification and practical architectures for realizing electrically pumped CQD lasers. This overview suggests that the accumulated knowledge, along with the approaches developed for manipulating the optical-gain properties of colloidal nanostructures, perfectly position the CQD field for successfully addressing a long-standing challenge: the realization of CQD-based laser diodes. Colloidal quantum dots are promising materials for realizing versatile, wavelength-tunable, solution-processed lasers. This Review surveys recent advances in colloidal quantum dot lasing, provides an in-depth analysis of outstanding challenges and discusses a path forward to implementing technologically viable lasing devices.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Optically controllable magnetism in atomically thin semiconductors

We report evidence that ferromagnetic order in electrostatically doped, monolayer transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) semiconductors can be stabilized and controlled at zero magnetic field by local optical pumping. We use circular dichroism (CD) in reflectivity from excitonic states as a spatially resolved probe of charge-carrier spin polarization. At electron densities $n_e$ ~ 10 12 cm -2 , a diffraction-limited, circularly polarized optical pump breaks symmetry between oppositely polarized magnetic states and stabilizes long-range magnetic order, with carrier polarization exceeding 80% over an 8 μm by 5 μm extent. In time-resolved measurements with pulsed optical excitation, we observe that magnetic interactions amplify the initial pump-induced spin polarization by more than an order of magnitude. The optical control of magnetism with local optical pumps will unlock advancements in spin and optical technologies and provides a versatile tool in the study of correlated phases in two-dimensional electron gases.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Symmetry-dependent ultrafast manipulation of nanoscale magnetic domains

Symmetry is a powerful concept in physics, but its applicability to far-from-equilibrium states is still being understood. Recent attention has focused on how far-from-equilibrium states lead to spontaneous symmetry breaking. Conversely, ultrafast optical pumping can be used to drastically change the energy landscape and quench the magnetic order parameter in magnetic systems. Here, we find a distinct symmetry-dependent ultrafast behaviour by use of ultrafast x-ray scattering from magnetic patterns with varying degrees of isotropic and anisotropic symmetry. After pumping with an optical laser, the scattered intensity reveals a radial shift exclusive to the isotropic component and exhibits a faster recovery time from quenching for the anisotropic component. These features arise even when both symmetry components are concurrently measured, suggesting a correspondence between the excitation and the magnetic order symmetry. Our results underline the importance of symmetry as a critical variable to manipulate the magnetic order in the ultrafast regime.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2023

Integrated silicon optical amplifier with reduced residual pump

An optical amplifier device employing a Mach-Zehnder Interferometer (MZI) that reduces the amount of residual pump power in the optical output of the amplifier is disclosed. The MZI amplifier employs two geometrically linear optical amplifier arms or two multi-spatial-mode racetrack optical amplifiers to amplify a signal with a pumping beam, with the signal output port having extremely low levels of residual pump power. The MZI optical amplifier is a silicon photonic integrated circuit, with all optical amplifiers, couplers, phase shifters, and optical attenuators formed of silicon photonic integrated circuit elements. The MZI optical amplifier may include one, two, or three MZI stages, and multiple MZI optical amplifiers may be used in parallel or sequentially to achieve higher overall signal gain or power. The MZI optical amplifier may employ Brillouin-scattering-based amplifiers, Raman-based integrated waveguide optical amplifiers, or Erbium-doped integrated waveguide optical amplifiers.

Lentine, Anthony L.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Optical, electrical, and EPR studies of polycrystalline Al:Cr:ZnSe gain elements

Transition metal-doped II-VI (TM:II-VI) chalcogenides are well-known laser materials for optically pumped middle-infrared lasers. Cr:ZnSe is a key representative of this class of transition metal doped II-VI gain media and is arguably considered the material of choice for optically pumped middle-infrared lasers. In addition to effective mid-IR lasing under optical excitation, these crystals, being wide-band semiconductors, hold the potential for direct electrical excitation. One way to form n-type conductivity in ZnSe crystals is by annealing them in a melt of Zn-Al alloy. However, this annealing of Cr:ZnSe crystals results in their purification and transfer of chromium to the melt of Zn-Al alloy. In this article, we report on optimizing the doping technique for providing n-type conductivity in Al:Cr:ZnSe crystals while preserving the chromium concentration. Al:Cr:ZnSe samples with resistivities ranging from 10.8 to 992 Ω-cm were fabricated. While the 2 + valence state of Cr is typically dominant in Cr:ZnSe, both Cr 2+ and Cr + were detected in Al:Cr:ZnSe samples. The maximum level of Cr + concentration was measured to be 4 × 10 18 cm -3 .

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Time-resolved x-ray absorption spectroscopy probe in ultrafast surface chemistry

To celebrate the scientific achievement of Jo Stöhr, I present here a personal account of the use of x-ray absorption spectroscopy to probe dynamics on surfaces using x-ray lasers. In particular, I will review the investigation of ultrafast processes in adsorbates on surfaces using an optical pump and an x-ray absorption spectroscopy probe. Here, it is shown that it is possible to gain insight into the effects of electronic excitations in metals on adsorbates as well as laser-induced vibrational motions. Furthermore, the ultrafast optical pump allows the detection of the CO precursor state in the desorption channel, species close to the transition state in CO oxidation, and the transient HCO intermediate during CO hydrogenation on Ru(0001).

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2022

High-power terahertz pulse generation from bias-free nanoantennas on graded composition InGaAs structures

We present a bias-free photoconductive emitter that uses an array of nanoantennas on an InGaAs layer with a linearly graded Indium composition. The graded InGaAs structure creates a built-in electric field that extends through the entire photoconductive active region, enabling the efficient drift of the photo-generated electrons to the nanoantennas. The nanoantenna geometry is chosen so that surface plasmon waves are excited in response to a 1550 nm optical pump to maximize photo-generated carrier concentration near the nanoantennas, where the built-in electric field strength is maximized. With the combination of the plasmonic enhancement and built-in electric field, high-power terahertz pulses are generated without using any external bias voltage. We demonstrate the generation of terahertz pulses with 860 µW average power at an average optical pump power of 900 mW, exhibiting the highest radiation power compared to previously demonstrated telecommunication-compatible terahertz pulse emitters.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2023

Enhancing reactivity of SiO + ions by controlled excitation to extreme rotational states

Optical pumping of molecules provides unique opportunities for control of chemical reactions at a wide range of rotational energies. This work reports a chemical reaction with extreme rotational excitation of a reactant and its kinetic characterization. We investigate the chemical reactivity for the hydrogen abstraction reaction SiO + + H 2 → SiOH + + H in an ion trap. The SiO + cations are prepared in a narrow rotational state distribution, including super-rotor states with rotational quantum number ( j ) as high as 170, using a broad-band optical pumping method. We show that the super-rotor states of SiO + substantially enhance the reaction rate, a trend reproduced by complementary theoretical studies. We reveal the mechanism for the rotational enhancement of the reactivity to be a strong coupling of the SiO + rotational mode with the reaction coordinate at the transition state on the dominant dynamical pathway.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2025

Precision measurement of lifetime and branching ratios of the 4⁢𝑓 13⁡ 5⁢𝑑⁢6⁢𝑠 1 ⁢[5/2] 5/2 state in Yb + ions

We report spectroscopic and time-resolved experimental observations to characterize the [Xe]⁢4⁢𝑓 13 ⁡( 2 𝐹$^𝑜_{5/2}$)⁢5⁢𝑑⁢6⁢𝑠⁡( 1 𝐷)⁢ 1 ⁢[5/2]$^𝑜_{5/2}$ state in 172 Yb + ions. We access this state from the metastable 4⁢𝑓 14 ⁡5⁢𝑑⁡( 2 𝐷 3/2,5/2 ) manifold and observe an unexpectedly long lifetime of 𝜏 = 37.9⁢(9) ⁢µ⁢s that allows visible Rabi oscillations and resolved-sideband spectroscopy. Using a combination of coherent population dynamics, high-fidelity detection and heralded state preparation, and optical pumping methods, we measure the branching ratios to the 2 𝐷 3/2 , 2 𝐷 5/2 , and 2 𝑆 1/2 states to be 0.359⁢(2), 0.639(2), and 0.0023⁢(16), respectively. The branching ratio to the 4⁢𝑓 13⁡ 6⁢𝑠 2 ⁡( 2 𝐹 7/2 ) is compatible with zero within our experimental resolution. We also report measurements of Landé 𝑔-factor of the 1 ⁢[5/2]$^𝑜_{5/2}$ state. Further, the branching ratio of the 2 𝐷 5/2 to 2 𝑆 1/2 decay in 172 Yb + was measured to be 0.188(3), improving its relative uncertainty by an order of magnitude. Our measurements provide experimental benchmarks for better understanding the atomic structure of Yb + ions, which still lacks accurate numerical descriptions, and the use of high-lying excited states for partial detection and qubit manipulation in the omg architecture.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

A concept for polarized 3 He targets for high luminosity scattering experiments in high magnetic field environments

In this work, we present the conceptual design of a polarized 3 He target to be used for high luminosity scattering experiments within high magnetic field environments. This two-cell target will take advantage of advancements in optical pumping techniques at high magnetic field to create 60% longitudinally polarized 3 He gas in a pumping cell within a uniform magnetic field above 1 T. By transferring the polarized gas to a cryogenic target cell, the gas density is increased to create a target thickness suitable for high luminosity applications. We discuss the general design of this scheme, and plans for its application in Jefferson Lab’s CLAS12 detector.

3He polarization↗
DOE OSTI2025

Experimental scheme for polarizing boron nuclei

Unraveling the internal structure of hadrons and nuclei in terms of the quarks and gluons of quantum chromodynamics is a central focus of current nuclear physics research. Directly observing gluonic states in the nucleus would be groundbreaking and is an objective of the future Electron-Ion Collider (EIC). Over 30 years ago, Jaffe and Manohar [R. L. Jaffe and A. Manohar, Phys. Lett. B 223 , 218 (1989)] identified a new double-helicity flip structure function, directly sensitive to exotic gluons. They pointed out that this could be measured in inclusive high-energy electron scattering from a transversely polarized nuclear target with spin 𝐼 ≥ 1. Here, in this work, we identify the spin-3 nucleus boron-10 as a particularly interesting system to search for exotic gluons. Leveraging technical advances in atomic physics over the past decade, we outline an experimental scheme to directly optically pump a beam of stable boron atoms to polarize the nuclear spin. Technical challenges to realize a spin-polarized beam of boron-10 in the EIC are discussed. The proposed scheme will also polarize the 11 B nucleus, which could significantly enhance the proton-boron fusion cross section.

atomic spectra↗
DOE OSTI2021

Optical encoder devices and systems

Devices, systems and methods for encoding information using optical components are described. Information associated with a first optical signal (e.g., an optical pump) is encoded onto the phase of a second optical signal (e.g., an optical probe) using cross phase modulation (XPM) in a non-linear optical medium. The optical signals are multiplexed together into the nonlinear optical medium. The probe experiences a modified index of refraction as it propagates through the medium and thus accumulates a phase change proportional to the intensity of the pump. The disclosed devices can be incorporated into larger components and systems for various applications such as scientific diagnostics, radar, remote sensing, wireless communications, and quantum computing that can benefit from encoding and generation of low noise, high resolution signals. Examples of the encoded information includes intrinsic noise from the optical source, or others signals of interest, such as electrical, optical, X-ray, or high-energy particle signals.

Buckley, Brandon Walter↗
DOE OSTI2023

Optical encoder devices and systems

Devices, systems and methods for encoding information using optical components are described. Information associated with a first optical signal (e.g., an optical pump) is encoded onto the phase of a second optical signal (e.g., an optical probe) using cross phase modulation (XPM) in a non-linear optical medium. The optical signals are multiplexed together into the nonlinear optical medium. The probe experiences a modified index of refraction as it propagates through the medium and thus accumulates a phase change proportional to the intensity of the pump. The disclosed devices can be incorporated into larger components and systems for various applications such as scientific diagnostics, radar, remote sensing, wireless communications, and quantum computing that can benefit from encoding and generation of low noise, high resolution signals. Examples of the encoded information includes intrinsic noise from the optical source, or others signals of interest, such as electrical, optical, X-ray, or high-energy particle signals.

Buckley, Brandon Walter↗
DOE OSTI2024

Novel, Middle and Long Wave Infrared Laser Sources For Accelerator Applications

The main accomplishment during Years 2020-2024 of the DOE Accelerator Stewardship Program is proof-of-principle demonstration of amplification of an ultrashort 10 µm seed pulse in a multiatmosphere CO 2 laser optically pumped by nanosecond pulses of either a ~4.3 µm Fe:ZnSe laser or a 2.8 µm electro-optically (EO) Q-switched Er: Laser. This has been accomplished at the UCLA Neptune Laboratory by using about 100 mJ, ~100 ns long pulses generated by the pump laser built for this purpose by the UAB team. Implementation of EO Q-switching regime in the solid-state Er:laser system made possible nanosecond synchronization between the pump pulse and the 0.5 ps seed pulse produced by a commercial Ti:sapphire laser based mid-IR OPA/DFG. The injection mode-locking regime realized in a compact Mult atmosphere 3 Hz CO 2 -He regenerative amplifier enabled generation of a train of ultrashort pulses separated by the cavity round-trip time of ~3.2 ns. The measured gain lifetime of ~1 µs at a total pressure of ~12-15 atm indicates that lifetime of the upper laser level is a critical limiting factor in designing high-pressure CO 2 amplifiers. A single picosecond 10 mm pulse with an energy 0.1-0.2 mJ was extracted from the amplifier’s cavity using an ultrafast Ge semiconductor switch whose reflectivity was photo-induced by a femtosecond 800 nm pulse. For direct amplification regime, nonlinear absorption in Ge at 10 mm at GW/cm 2 intensities limited the extracted energy. Therefore, the generated energy could be further increased by minimizing losses in the switch and optimizing the cavity mode size. Based on the obtained data in collaboration with BNL colleagues, we have designed a high-pressure CO 2 amplifier to be used as a preamplifier for the future experiments at the ATF BNL. The latter work is the subject of funding availability.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗