A novel tunable diode laser using volume holographic gratings

We have developed a self-aligned external cavity laser with a non-dispersive volume holographic grating (VHG) as the output coupler. The resulting external cavity is tunable by rotating the VHG. We have demonstrated tunable single mode longitudinal operation at 405 nm and 785 nm wavelength. The passive alignment of the novel tunable laser is the main driver for achieving low cost manufacturing. The axial symmetry enables the use of axially symmetric components such as TO-can laser packages, lenses and VHGs which further reduces the cost of manufacturing and the laser footprint.