Fast efficient Ca atomic resonance filter at 423 nm.
An optically pumped active Ca atomic resonance filter is demonstrated, applicable to background-limited optical communications through scatter channels. In pump saturation, the filter should detect 50% of the incident 423-nm signal power with an internal photon gain of 6 and a response time of 10 micros, 2 orders of magnitude faster than a passive Ca filter. Response time of 100 micros has been demonstrated, limited by available pump power. The filter maintains the wide field of view and reduced solar background associated with atomic absorption at the Ca Fraunhofer line while permitting higher data rate communications.
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Walther