Efficient Ultraviolet Laser for Raman Spectroscopy

描述（由申请人提供）：紫外共振拉曼光谱是一种强大的技术，用于检测、鉴定和研究与公共卫生相关的许多化学和生物物种，如致癌物和生物战剂。本SBIR研究计划的目的是开发一种紧凑，高效，廉价的紫外激光器，以促进紫外共振拉曼光谱的广泛使用。 该SBIR计划的第一阶段将证明二极管泵浦连续波236 nm固态激光器的可行性。236nm的紫外光将由掺钕钇铝石榴石激光器的946nm输出四倍频产生。腔内倍频激光器将产生473 nm的光，第二光学谐振腔将473 nm的光转换为236 nm。这个最后的非线性步骤将在非临界相位匹配晶体中进行，以最大化转换效率。第一阶段将证明这一概念的可行性，并提供实验数据，以优化整个系统。 第二阶段将生产一个紧凑的100毫瓦236纳米紫外激光系统，用于拉曼光谱仪。第二阶段的成功完成将使廉价和便携式光谱仪系统，并使其能够在医疗应用，化学和生物材料的远程检测以及各种工业应用中使用。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Ultraviolet Resonance Raman Spectroscopy is a powerful technique for detection, identification, and study of a number of chemical and biological species relevant to public health, such as carcinogens and biological warfare agents. The purpose of this SBIR research program is to develop a compact, efficient, and inexpensive ultraviolet laser to facilitate widespread use of ultraviolet resonance Raman spectroscopy. Phase I of this SBIR program will demonstrate the feasibility of a diode-pumped continuous-wave 236nm solid-state laser. The 236nm ultraviolet light will be generated by frequency-quadrupling the 946nm output of a neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser. An intracavity frequency-doubled laser will generate 473nm light and a second optical resonator will convert the 473nm light to 236nm. This final non-linear step will be carried out in a non-critically phase matched crystal to maximize conversion efficiency. Phase I will demonstrate the feasibility of the concept and provide experimental data to optimize the overall system. Phase II will produce a compact 100 mW 236nm ultraviolet laser system for use in a Raman spectrometer. Successful completion of Phase II will enable inexpensive and portable spectrometer systems and enable their use in medical applications, remote detection of chemical and biological materials, and a variety of industrial applications.