Multiple single frequency laser system and method of optical manipulaton

Abstract

A multiple single frequency laser for optical manipulation of molecules is presented. The multiple single frequency laser comprises generally a multiline laser source which utilizes one sample of molecular species as a source for the generation of optical radiation for manipulating (e.g., cooling) a second, separate sample of the same species of molecules. More specifically, the multiple single frequency (MSF) laser comprises a master controller for controlling the frequency of powerful single frequency pump lasers. Laser beams from the pump lasers excite coherent Raman transitions in molecules contained in a Raman gain cell. These beams are tuned to specific optical transitions in an electronic band of molecules. The molecules contained in the Raman gain cell generate the multiple frequencies needed to manipulate (e.g., cool) the same species of molecules in a second, separate sample. The Raman gain cell provides an output beam which is presented to a multistage optical amplifier for generating an amplified output beam. The amplified output beam is presented to a wavelength selector where unwanted frequencies are eliminated resulting in a MSF output beam. MSF output beam includes multiple laser frequencies all of which are synchronously controlled by controlling the frequency of the pump laser via the controller.