Inventors:
Paul C. Engelking - Lowell OR
Assignee:
State Board of Higher Eductation for and on behalf of the University of
Oregon - Eugene OR
International Classification:
H01S 313
Abstract:
A method for referencing the beam wavelength of a tunable laser with a known spectral line wavelength of a free transition metal atom. A voltage is placed across a pair of electrodes in a cell containing vapor of an organometallic compound of that metal. The vapor is irradiated with a pulse of focused laser light having an average flux density at which electronic transitions of the free transition metal atom are wavelength dependent. The vapor undergoes photodissociation to form free metal atoms. The wavelength of the focused laser light is adjusted until peak current flow across the two electrodes is observed, evidencing photoionization of the free metal atoms proceeding through an excited state corresponding to the referencing wavelength.