Task: Study and reduce the laser-induced degradation of intra-cavity Brewster windows and cavity mirrors under different atmospheric conditions (air, vacuum, oxygen at different pressures, ...) in our 243 nm optical enhancement cavity. For spectroscopy on the 1S-2S transition in atomic hydrogen we require a stable, high-power light field in the enhancement cavity.
Fields of study: optical cavities, vacuum techniques, deep-UV laser
Contact: Hendrik Schürg (h.schuerg[a]uni-mainz.de)
Harmonic generation cavity for 243nm
Task: Design and set up an actively stabilized optical ring cavity for generation of continous-wave 243nm light via second harmonic generation. We aim for long-term stable output powers >100mW and a high beam-quality (with compensated spatial walk-off).
Field of study: laser technology, nonlinear optics
Contact: Hendrik Schürg (h.schuerg[a]uni-mainz.de)
Laser-induced photoionization of atomic hydrogen
Task: A highly selective detection of atomic hydrogen can be achieved by a two-photon excitation at 243 nm (1S-2S transition), followed by photoionization with a third UV-photon (2S ionization) and subsequent detection of the photoelectrons released. Goal of this project is to set up a 355 nm pulsed laser system to complement our existing 243 nm continous-wave laser – and/or a standalone 243 nm pulsed laser system. Either of these configurations can then be used to demonstrate the detection of hydrogen atoms via ionization in our apparatus.
Field of study: laser technology, detector physics
Contact: Hendrik Schürg (h.schuerg[a]uni-mainz.de)
If you have an own idea for a project in mind that you would like to do in our group, please feel free to contact us!
