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Introduction
In this experiment, you will investigate some of the properties of laser radiation. You will
also be introduced to the internal working components of a typical gas laser. These
components are similar in all gas lasers, and with the exception of the gas tube, are also
similar to the components of solid-state lasers. Please take due care in making your
measurements and be sure to record everything in a notebook.
One mirror of the optical cavity is sealed directly onto the back of the
discharge tube. This concave mirror has a 60 cm radius of curvature and is
called a high reflector because its reflectivity at the lasing wavelength of
632.8 nm is essentially 100%. The other end of the discharge tube is sealed
by a transparent flat window oriented at 56o. At this special angle, known as
the Brewster angle, this window transmits virtually all light polarized parallel
to the plane of incidence. Light that is polarized perpendicular to the plane of
incidence is partially reflected by the Brewster window; therefore, this light
escapes from the cavity. If this window were not oriented at the Brewster
angle (or not properly coated), its reflectivity would introduce a loss in the
cavity, which would prevent laser operation. The other laser mirror, called
the output coupler, is a flat mirror held in a gimbal mount on a sliding track
so that its orientation and the optical cavity length can be adjusted. The
output coupler reflects roughly 99% of the stimulated emission from the laser
medium back into the optical cavity and transmits 1% of the stimulated
emission as the laser's output beam.
To support laser action, the optical cavity must be aligned so that the light
beam inside the optical cavity does not "walk off" the end mirrors after
repeated reflections. A systematic search procedure is used to align the
output coupler parallel to the high reflector. During this and subsequent
procedures, be careful not to touch the Brewster window or output coupler.
CAUTION: The emitted laser beam is very intense. Never look directly into a
laser beam or into any reflections of a laser beam. Remove watch and
jewelry from wrist and fingers to prevent stray reflections.
Turn on the power supply and wait 5 seconds for the discharge. If the laser
has been left in an unaligned configuration, it should not be lasing; however,
the discharge tube should glow. Slide the output coupler mount to about 4
cm from the Brewster window and lock down the carrier onto the sliderail.
Adjust the vertical knob so that the output coupler points slightly downward.
This setting is easily verified by observing that the vertical post extending
upward from the mirror mount slants a few degrees toward the discharge
tube. With a delicate touch, grasp the vertical post and rock it back and forth
a few degrees. Rocking the output coupler about a horizontal axis sweeps
the mirror through a range of angles that includes the correct vertical
orientation required for lasing.
The horizontal adjustment knob rotates the output coupler about a vertical
axis and allows for the correct left-to-right mirror orientation required for
lasing. Position this knob so that the output coupler points slightly to the left
or right of the discharge tube. This position may be verified by viewing the
output coupler holder from above the apparatus.
The search procedure calls for a systematic two-dimensional search over all
vertical and horizontal mirror positions to locate the lasing position of the
output coupler. Make a very small adjustment (1/32 of a full turn) of the
horizontal knob to move the output coupler toward the correct horizontal
position. Then gently rock the vertical post to pass through the full range of
vertical orientations. These two different motions must be performed
independently, but in succession. As the mirror is rocked between small
horizontal adjustments of the output coupler, watch for a flash of red laser
light on the output coupler. If none appears, advance the horizontal knob in
the same direction and then rock the post again. Continue this procedure. A
smooth systematic search eventually produces a flash of red laser light.
Once the flash has occurred, stop adjusting the horizontal knob and allow the
vertical post to return to its resting position. Then, advance the vertical knob
until lasing is continuous. At this point, "tweak" both knobs for maximum
Intentionally misalign the laser by randomly twisting both knobs slightly and
repeat the alignment procedure until it is performed confidently and easily.
Each student should align the laser.
Where gi = 1 – (L/ri), where L is the separation between the two mirrors, and
ri is a spherical mirror's radius of curvature.
Evaluate the laser stability condition, Equation (1), for the laser. The high
reflector mirror has a radius of curvature, r1 = 60 cm, and the output coupler
is flat, i.e., r2 = ∞. Evaluate g2. Substitute the value of g2 into Equation (1) so
that the only remaining variable is g1. Replace g1 with its definition
containing the current value of r1, and rearrange the inequality to find the
maximum and minimum lengths L for this laser. Can both limits be tested
with the present apparatus?
Use the meter stick to measure the distance. Make your measurements from
the back mirror of the laser (the one inside the laser housing). Unlock the
sliding carrier for the output coupler and increase the cavity length. Relock
the carrier and reestablish lasing if necessary. Note that lasing is more
difficult with increased cavity length. Increase L until the cavity no longer
sustains laser activity. At this point, the laser cavity has become unstable.
How does the final, limiting value of L agree with the theoretical prediction?
With the polarizing filter, investigate the polarization of the laser beam
emitted by the present laser. Rotate the filter in a plane normal to the laser
beam and observe the variation in intensity of the light transmitted through
the film. In which plane is the laser light polarized, vertical or horizontal?
Does this polarization correspond to light polarized parallel or perpendicular
to the plane of incidence of the laser's Brewster angle? Explain by sketching
the Brewster window and indicating the polarizations of the transmitted and
reflected beams.
To observe the TEM modes, you need to magnify the laser beam and project
it onto a screen.
• Slide the output coupler close to the discharge tube and establish laser
action
• Maximize the power output
• Insert a - 1" focal length diverging lens in the output beam of the laser
• Display the resulting divergent beam on a white sheet of paper placed
behind the lens.
qλ q = 2L (3)
Lab Report: