Production of a high-density state-selected metastable neon beam

Abstract

We have developed a high-density source of metastable neon and have selectively quenched both metastable species using a standing-wave dye laser. The source is compact, stable, and produces an average intensity of 3.6×1014 sr−1 s−1 and a density on target of 7.7×106 cm−3.