High-resolution spectroscopy of xenon using a tunable Fourier-transform-limited all-solid-state vacuum-ultraviolet laser system

A tunable Fourier-transform-limited narrow-band vacuum-ultraviolet (VUV) laser system has been developed that is entirely based on solid-state laser technology. The possibility of generating radiation pulses of adjustable duration enables the production of VUV radiation with a bandwidth of less than 100 MHz. The tunability and the narrow bandwidth of the VUV laser are demonstrated in a high-resolution measurement of the (5p)S-6 1(0) -> (5p)(5) 7d[3/2] (J = 1) transition of the seven most abundant isotopes of Xe, in which the isotopic shifts could be determined with an accuracy of better than 20 MHz and the hyperfine structure of the transitions of Xe-129 and Xe-131 could be resolved. An analysis of the line profiles reveals that the full-width at half-maximum of 100 MHz of the transitions is limited by the Doppler effect.