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Laser Spectral Tunability

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Laser Spectral Tunability

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Available laser gain media enable emission wavelengths to span a large portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. Despite this spectral coverage, applications that require access to a range of laser wavelengths typically do not utilize multiple laser systems due to cost and integration issues. Such applications rely on the output wavelength of a single laser system to be tuned over a spectral range.This is accomplished in two different ways. The first way to perform laser wavelength tuning uses a wavelength-selective element to choose a specific portion under a gain bandwidth to lase. This allows for tuning and comparable output characteristics, e.g., laser bandwidth, collimation, polarization, throughout the tuning range. A drawback is that emission wavelengths are constrained to the spectral bandwidth of the laser gain medium. The second method of wavelength tuning involves nonlinear frequency conversion. This approach introduces a nonlinear optical (NLO) crystal either outside or inside the laser cavity to generate new wavelengths or frequencies.

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