We present a simple design rule for diode-laserpumped quasi-three-level lasers by using the M2 factor. The validity of this model was demonstrated by diode-pumped Yb:YAG laser experiments. The maximum output power of 1.33 W and optical slope efficiency of 63% were obtained in a 400m Yb:YAGchip miniature laser. Using a 200m Yb:YAG chip, a 70% optical slope efficiency was reached. In a coupled-ca...

We have locked a whispering-gallery resonance of a fused-silica microsphere to a frequency-scanning laser. The resonance frequency is modulated by axial compression of the microsphere, and phase-sensitive detection of the fiber-coupled optical throughput is used for locking. Using a laser wavelength of either 1570 nm or 830 nm, we demonstrate a locked tracking range exceeding 30 GHz for a micro...

A quasicontinuous tuning range of 65 nm at 3.2 m was obtained for continuous wave, single-longitudinal-mode operation at 77 K of an optically pumped distributed-feedback laser with a chirped grating. Interferometric lithography with spherical wavefronts was used to fabricate a large-area chirped grating whose period varied continuously in the direction of the grating lines. Tuning was achieved ...

We report on a broad-band terahertz quantum-cascade laser (QCL) with a long Fabry-Pérot ridge cavity, for which the tuning range of the individual laser modes exceeds the mode spacing. While a spectral range of approximately 60 GHz (2 cm(-1)) is continuously covered by current and temperature tuning, the total emission range spans more than 270 GHz (9 cm(-1)). Within certain operating ranges, w...

This paper presents two extended cavity diode laser tuning schemes, implemented using blue diode lasers, the first allows long mode-hop free tuning ranges (>110 GHz), whereas the second allows very high scan rates (>10 kHz). ©2005 Optical Society of America OCIS codes: (140.3600) Lasers, tunable; (140.2020) Diode lasers; (120.4570) Optical design of instruments

A dual-ring injection-locked fiber laser consisting of a ring of optoelectronic oscillator (OEO) and a ring of fiber laser is proposed and demonstrated for tunable millimeter-wave (mm-wave) generation. The approach combines the advantages of mm-wave generation based on OEOs and fiber lasers, which can generate a high-frequency, low-phase-noise, and a mode-hopping-free mm-wave signal with a larg...

Widely continuously tunable sources are key elements for many applications. This paper discusses the first integrated laser able to continuously tune its wavelength more than 1%: the micromechanical tunable vertical-cavity surfaceemitting laser (VCSEL). These devices have demonstrated up 19.1 nm of continuous tuning, threshold currents as low as 460 A, and powers as high as 0.9 mW. In addition ...

Ultrahigh-speed tuning of an extended-cavity semiconductor laser is demonstrated. The laser resonator comprises a unidirectional fiber-optic ring, a semiconductor optical amplifier as the gain medium, and a novel scanning filter based on a polygonal scanner. Variable tuning rates up to 1150 nm/ms (15.7-kHz repetition frequency) are demonstrated over a 70-nm wavelength span centered at 1.32 micr...

In the mid-infrared spectral region, where continuous wave room temperature operation of the QCL devices was achieved in the previous phase of the program, the main goal will be to further broaden the frequency range over which these high performances are achieved. Another important topic is the fabrication of devices with a very large frequency tuning capability, which will enable the spectros...

We optimize the wavelength tuning range of a Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser with an intracavity layer of nematic Liquid Crystal (LC-VCSEL) lasing around 1.3 μm. The tunability is obtained by applying voltage to the liquid crystal layer, which esentially is to vary the refractive index from the extraordinary to the ordinary. We achieve 71.6 nm continuous tuning (without mode hopping) wit...