Efficient Generation of Vacuum-Ultraviolet Light in an Ultracompact Setup for Applications in Molecular and Nuclear Spectroscopy

The efficient generation of tuneable vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) light (100–200 nm, 6–12 eV) could pave the way for numerous applications in fundamental science and technology [1]. For instance, in molecular physics, excitation by VUV light is ideally suited to trigger and investigate in real-time Rydberg state dynamics and low-valence electronic states in a multitude of molecular targets [2]. Furthermore, the all-optical initiation and control of electron dynamics triggered by the much investigated, low energy nuclear transition in Thorium-229 is a challenge that has not been overcome to this day, but brought within reach by the development of innovative VUV laser sources [3].