Working with optics in an AMO lab
As the first step to writing my thesis, I’ve written an appendix documenting the hands-on skill of working with optics in an atomic physics lab.
Optics Tips and Tricks
Table of Contents
- Basic laser safety
- Aligning a beam to a straight line
- Aligning a beam on top of another beam
- Fiber coupling
- Aligning an acousto-optic modulator
- Aligning a double pass AOM
- Aligning a tapered amplifier
- Cleaning optics
- Tightening posts
While some of these topics are quite specific to the Gadway lab (TA, tightening posts), most are pretty general… and repetitive. Turns out that aligning a laser beam is always about “near” and “far” points.
Anyway, I hope this benefits someone out there. It would have helped me back in 2014 when Bryce wasn’t around to answer my questions.