Demonstration of an optical cryocooler

Author

Seletskiy, D.V. ; Melgaard, Seth D. ; Bigotta, S. ; Lieto, Alberto Di ; Tonelli, Mauro ; Epstein, Richard I. ; Sheik-Bahae, Mansoor

Author_Institution

Phys. & Astron. Dept., Univ. of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA

fYear

2009

fDate

2-4 June 2009

Firstpage

1

Lastpage

2

Abstract

We present the first observation of cryogenic operation in an all-solid-state refrigerator. A temperature drop of ~150 K is demonstrated in a 0.2 cm³ rare-earth doped fluoride crystal (Yb:YLF) using anti-Stokes fluorescence, at a record cooling power of 110 mW. Lowest electronic transition within Yb³⁺ Stark manifold along with cavity enhanced absorption and thermal-load management were key in achieving this operation. We show that temperatures down to 100 K are achievable in this arrangement given sufficient absorbed laser power at 1020 nm.

Keywords

Stark effect; cryogenics; fluorescence; lithium compounds; refrigerators; solid lasers; ytterbium; Stark manifold; YLF:Yb; all-solid-state refrigerator; anti-Stokes fluorescence; cavity enhanced absorption; cryogenic operation; electronic transition; optical cryocooler; rare-earth doped fluoride crystal; thermal load management; Absorption; Cryogenics; Electronics cooling; Fluorescence; Laser transitions; Optical recording; Refrigeration; Temperature; Thermal management; Thermal management of electronics; 020.3320; 160.5690;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Lasers and Electro-Optics, 2009 and 2009 Conference on Quantum electronics and Laser Science Conference. CLEO/QELS 2009. Conference on

Conference_Location

Baltimore, MD

Print_ISBN

978-1-55752-869-8

Electronic_ISBN

978-1-55752-869-8

Type

conf

Filename

5225071