Mid-IR narrow bandwidth tuneable laser source for the FAMU experiment

Abstract

The FAMU (Fisica degli Atomi MUonici) collaboration aims to measure the proton Zemach radius through muonic hydrogen (μp) spectroscopy. The experimental setup relies on a custom-developed pulsed mid-IR laser source that can be tuned over a specific 6780-6790 nm wavelength range needed to ignite the hyperfine transition of the μp ground state 1S (also known as spin-flip transition). The excitation is observed as a distinctive muonic X-rays emission resulting from the oxygen impurity present in the hydrogen target. The mid-IR emission is produced by Difference Frequency Generation (DFG) in a non-linear crystal, pumped with a fixed wavelength 1064 nm Nd-YAG laser and a tuneable Cr:forsterite laser centred on 1262 nm. This setup produces more than 1.2 mJ at 6780 nm with a linewidth smaller than 30 pm. The experiment requires the laser to run continuously 24/7 in a restricted/radiation-controlled area and for this reason a specifically developed control software permits to remotely act on the laser. The characterization of a series of different non-linear crystals was performed during the development of the laser, resulting in the choice of BaGa4Se7.