Deceleration of a calcium atomic beam by a frequency-doubled diode laser.

Deceleration of an atomic beam of Calcium was achieved by using the radiation of a frequency doubled diode laser at 845.2 nn. In order to enhance the violet beam generation the doubling crystal, KNbO3, is placed inside an external build-up cavity. The laser beam at 423 nm, counter-propagating with the atomic beam, is put into resonance with the S-1(0) --> P-1(1) transition of Ca. To keep the laser in resonance with the atomic transition during the cooling process, the Zeeman technique is used.