Light-induced atomic desorption under different types of illumination

Abstract

We studied the light-induced atomic desorption (LIAD) at different geometries and homogeneities of cell illumination. An original system for homogeneous illumination of the cells was developed and the Rb D2 line absorption spectra in several uncoated and coated cells were compared without illumination, with single-side illumination and with homogeneous illumination. The transmission as a function of the illumination intensity and the tuning direction was measured. The absorption coefficients with and without illumination of the stem were compared. The system developed for homogeneous illumination increases the efficiency of the LIAD, enables the investigation of LIAD without lateral diffusion, prevents cluster formation and reduces the influence of the stem. A good knowledge of the factors influencing the alkali atom spectra will be useful not only for the development of new LIAD-loaded atomic devices and their miniaturization, but also for the study of atom-dielectric surface interactions and the development of new all-optical methods for surface and coating diagnostics.