422 nm laser

Abstract

A 422 nm laser was constructed for the purpose of studying a strontium ultra-cold neutral plasma. Since strontium ions have atomic lines in the visible, we can optically image the plasma via the 88 Sr+ 2S1/2 → 2 P1/2 transition using 422 nm light. We produce light at this wavelength by converting infrared light at 844 nm from a commercial semiconductor infrared diode laser via second-harmonic generation in an semi-monolithic linear enhancement cavity. This thesis will cover the experimental details pertaining to nonlinear optics, optical resonator design, and locking electronics used to create a 422 nm laser.