We present a compact Extended Cavity Laser (ECL) system based on a high-power laser diode optimized for maximum efficiency of the Rb optical pumping process. The system represents the crucial part of the HpG (hyperpolarized gasses) production process. We concentrated on the ECL system optimization - linewidth matching and frequency stabilization - for the optical pumping process. We show that the intensity of optical feedback in the ECL laser influences linewidth and output power and it is possible to find an optimum value for the highest power spectral density at the absorption line of desire. The emission linewidth was reduced approximately 10 times with only half of the total optical power loss. The ECL system is controlled by electronic servo-loop for laser frequency stabilization.

Date Published: 27 September 2007
PDF: 8 pages
Proc. SPIE 6709, Free-Space Laser Communications VII, 67091K (27 September 2007); doi: 10.1117/12.734148

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 6709:
Free-Space Laser Communications VII
Arun K. Majumdar; Christopher C. Davis, Editor(s)