Compact Deep UV System at 222.5 nm Based on Frequency Doubling of GaN Laser Diode Emission

Laser light sources emitting in the deep ultraviolet wavelength range between 210 and 230 nm are of great interest for spectroscopic applications. Here, a compact DUV diode laser system emitting at a wavelength of 222.5 nm is presented. The system is based on frequency doubling of the laser radiation from a micro-integrated GaN external cavity diode laser module (mu ECDL) emitting at 445 nm. The mu ECDL has an optical pump power of 1.4 W with an emission bandwidth of 35 pm. Narrowband laser radiation in continouos wave operation with an output power of 160 mu W at 222.5 nm is generated in a single-pass frequency doubling stage with a beta-BaB2O4 crystal. The results are suitable to address applications such as spectroscopic investigations of biological samples. The presented concept of a compact and efficient deep ultraviolet laser light source enables the realization of portable systems for which a small footprint and a low power consumption is essential.