1988/07/01 by Jerry A. Gelbwachs · 88 citations
Physics and Astronomy · Chemistry · #Atomic and Subatomic Physics Research #Quantum optics and atomic interactions #Spectroscopy and Laser Applications #Optical filter #Laser #Resonance (particle physics) #Physics #Isotropy #Filter (signal processing) #Metastability #Wavelength #Absorption (acoustics) #Optics #Atomic physics #Materials science #Computer science
paper · doi:10.1109/3.963
published in IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics 24(7), 1266-1277 (IEEE Photonics Society)
openalex publication_date 1988/07/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
The atomic resonance filter (ARF) is an ultranarrowband (Q approximately 10/sup 5/-10/sup 6/), large-acceptance-angle, isotropic optical filter. These features make the device ideally suited for applications in which weak laser signals are detected against a continuum background. The filter properties arise from the physical processes of absorption, emission, and internal energy conversion in atomic vapors. The characteristics of the ARF are described and the underlying physics that governs the operation is discussed. Representative examples of passive, active, and IR filters are presented. A metastable ARF that offers improved solar background-limited performance by filtering signals at Fraunhofer wavelengths is described.>