An Infrared Spectrometer Utilizing a Spin Flip Raman Laser, IR Frequency Synthesis Techniques, and CO Laser Frequency Standards
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1 stss tStfi * I ! I " ^^H^H t"i #£. I ;:>••: *> 19 I ' 'r, s l 3Ef4 0F c ^ c Vv'f o NBS TECHNICAL NOTE 670 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE / National Bureau of Standards An Infrared Spectrometer Utilizing A Spin Flip Raman Laser, IR Frequency Synthesis Techniques, and CO2 Laser Frequency Standards NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS The National Bureau of Standards' was established by an act of Congress March 3, 1901. The Bureau's overall goal is to strengthen and advance the Nation's science and technology and facilitate their effective application for public benefit. To this end, the Bureau conducts research and provides: (I) a basis for the Nation's physical measurement system, (2) scientific and technological services for industry and government, (3) a technical basis for equity in trade, and (4) technical services to promote public safety. The Bureau consists of the Institute for Basic Standards, the Institute for Materials Research, the Institute tor Applied Technology, the Institute for Computer Sciences and Technology, and the Office for Information Programs. THE INSTITUTE FOR BASIC STANDARDS provides the central basis within the United States of a complete and consistent system of physical measurement; coordinates that system with measurement systems of other nations; and furnishes essential services leading to accurate and uniform physical measurements throughout the Nation's scientific community, industry, and commerce. The Institute consists of the Office of Measurement Services, the Office of Radiation Measurement and the following Center and divisions: Applied Mathematics — Electricity — Mechanics — Heat — Optical Physics — Center for Radiation Research: Nuclear Sciences; Applied Radiation — Laboratory Astrophysics L — Cryogenics " — Electromagnetics L — Time and Frequency \ THE INSTITUTE FOR MATERIALS RESEARCH conducts materials research leading to improved methods of measurement, standards, and data on the properties of well-characterized materials needed by industry, commerce, educational institutions, and Government: pros ides advisory and research services to other Government agencies; and develops, produces, and distributes standard reference materials. The Institute consists of the Office of Standard Reference Materials, the Office of Air and Water Measurement, and the following divisions: Analytical Chemistry — Polymers — Metallurgy - Inorganic Materials — -Reactor Radiation — Physical Chemistry. THE INSTITUTE FOR APPLIED TECHNOLOGY provides technical services to promote the use of available technology and to facilitate technological innovation in industry and Government: cooperates with public and private organizations leading to the development of technological standards (including mandatory safetj standards), codes and methods of test; and provides technical advice and services to Government agencies upon request. The Insti- tute consists of the following divisions and Centers: Standards Application and Analysis — Electronic Technology — Center for Consumer Product Technology: Product Systems Analysis; Product Engineering — Center for Building Technology: Structures, Materials, and Life Safety; Building Environment: Technical Evalua- tion and Application — Center for Fire Research: Eire Science; Fire Safety Engineering. THE INSTITUTE FOR COMPUTER SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY conducts research and provides technical services designed to aid Government agencies in improving cost effec- tiveness in the conduct of their programs through the selection, acquisition, and effective utilization of automatic data processing equipment: and serves as the principal focus within the executive branch for the development of Federal standards for automatic data processing equipment, techniques, and computer languages. The Institute consists of the following divisions: Computer Services — Systems and Software — Computer Systems Engineering — Informa- tion Technology. THE OFFICE FOR INFORMATION PROGRAMS promotes optimum dissemination and accessibility of scientific information generated within NBS and other agencies of the Federal Government; promotes the development of the National Standard Reference Data System and a system of information analysis centers dealing with the broader aspects of the National Measurement System; provides appropriate services to ensure that the NBS stalT has optimum accessibility to the scientific information of the world. The Office consists of the following organizational units: Office of Standard Reference Data — Office of Information Activities — Office of Technical Publications — Library — Office of International Relations — Office of International Standards. 1 Headquarters and Laboralorics at Gaithersburg, Maryland, unless otherwise noted; mailing address Washington. D.C. 20234. - Located at Boulder. Colorado 80302. OP STAJTOASDe APR 2 1976 no-t qzc, An Infrared Spectrometer 5"7-53 . a Utilizing A Spin Flip Raman Laser, IR Frequency Synthesis Techniques, and CO2 Laser Frequency Standards e '7echn,cc^J note, no. d>70, J.S. Wells and F.R. Petersen, Laser Metrology Section Time and Frequency Division National Bureau of Standards Boulder, Colorado 80302 G.E. Streit , P.D. Goldan and CM. Sadowski Aeronomy Laboratory National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Boulder, Colorado 80302 -7 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, Rogers C. B. Morton, Secretary James A. Baker, III, Under Secretary Dr. Betsy Ancker-Johnson, Assistant Secretary for Science and Technology NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS, Ernest Ambler, Acting Director 1 11 Issued January 1976 NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS TECHNICAL NOTE 670 Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.), Tech Note 670 54 (January 1976) : pages CODEN: NBTNAE For 2040 sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office , Washington, DC. (Order by SD Catalog No. C13.46:670) $1.60 CONTENTS pAQE 1. INTRODUCTION 1 2. SPIN FLIP RAMAN LASER CHARACTERISTICS 5 3. CARBON MONOXIDE PUMP LASER \k h. INFRARED FREQUENCY SYNTHESIS TECHNIQUES 22 5. OPTO-ACOUSTIC DETECTOR 31 6. ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS 3k 7. METROLOGY PROBLEMS 40 8. REFERENCES 48 I i i LIST OF FIGURES PAGE Figure 1 3 Figure 2 6 Figure 3 12 Figure k 16 Figure 5 17 Figure 6 20 Figure 7 23 Figure 8 27 Figure 9 32 Figure 10 35 Figure 11 37 Figure 12 38 Figure 13 39 Figure ]k ^1 Figure 15 ^3 Figure 16 ^ ^ Figure 17 ; 6 i v . An Infrared Spectrometer Utilizing a Spin Flip Raman Laser, IR Frequency Synthesis Techniques, and CO Laser Frequency Standards J. S. Wei Is, F. R. Petersen, G. ,E. Streit, P. D. Goldan and C. M. Sadowski The central part of this spectrometer is a cw spin flip Raman laser which operates between 1900 and 1 800 cm . The spin flip laser has so far demonstrated capabilities of resolving spectra separated by 0.01 cm and shows promise of exceeding this resolution capability. When used with an opto-acoust i c detector or with a detector and a flow system, it is capable of making a variety of measure- ments of environmental interest. Many of these environmental applications require only wavelength metrology. By using CO laser standards as frequency references and incorporating infrared frequency synthesis techniques, spectroscopy with the spin flip Raman laser can be put on a frequency metrology basis. A CO laser has been used with 1 a meta -oxi de-meta 1 diode to synthesize a known frequency reference which was used to stabilize the CO pump laser. The MOM diode also has the potential for measuring the frequency difference between the SFRL and the CO pump laser, a step which will complete absolute frequency measurements with the SFRL. The progress toward achieving this goal, the potential capabilities of this unique spectrometer, and some future applications are discussed. Key words: Air quality measurements; improved resolution spectroscopy; infrared spectrometer; infrared frequency measurements; spin flip laser; tunabl e I R 1 aser 1. INTRODUCTION As a result of continuing technological development in the laser field, tunable laser sources are now available and many new possibilities for high resolution infrared spectroscopy now exist. These tunable sources include the dye laser and parametric amplifiers in the visible, and diode lasers, spin flip Raman lasers (SFRL), and wave guide lasers in the infrared. The spectral brightness of these sources has precipitated a revolution in spectroscopy. We have constructed a cw spin flip laser which operates between 1900 and l800 cm . This spin flip laser has, so far, demonstrated capabilities of 2 -1 resolving spectra separated by 0.01 cm and shows promise of exceeding this resolution. When spin flip laser technology is combined with the infrared 3 frequency synthesis technology developed at NBS, one has the potential for a unique infrared spectrometer. This spectrometer is being developed in the follow- ing manner. Because of the absolute frequency measurement and stabilization work with CO lasers, excellent secondary standards in the intermediate IR spectral region now exist. One CO device has been used with a metal-oxide- metal diode to synthesize a frequency reference with which to stabilize the CO pump for the spin flip Raman laser and thus provide the requisite accuracy and long term stability required for high resolution spectroscopy and chemical kinetic studies. The diode has also demonstrated a potential for measuring the frequency difference between the spin flip laser and its pump, a step which will permit absolute frequency measurements. High resolution spectroscopy and absolute frequency measurements are extremely useful for characterizing potential lasers and