Laser system for the resonant ionization of hydrogen-like atoms produced by nuclear reactions

Abstract We report on the generation of intense pulsed VUV laser radiation of the Lyman-α wavelength of hydrogen-like atoms and muonium by a four wave mixing process in a mixture of krypton and argon gas. The pulse energy was of the order of ∼ 1 μJ/pulse at a 20 Hz repetition rate. The 200 GHz band-width corresponds to the Doppler width of muonium at 2300 K. With an additional ionizing laser, the one-photon resonant atomic transitions, 1S ⇒ 2P ⇒ unbound, can be realized for thermal hydrogen-like atoms produced by nuclear reactions as well as for muonium. Anticipating the need for long term operation, a completely solid-state laser system was chosen for the pumping, oscillators and amplifiers. The system construction and performance are described together with the results concerning resonant ionization of thermal hydrogen atoms produced by high energy nuclear reactions.