Fine-tuning of a diode laser wavelength with a liquid crystal intracavity element

Yu-Pin Lan; Chao Yuan Chen; Ru Pin Pan; Ci Ling Pan

doi:10.1117/1.1629684

Fine-tuning of a diode laser wavelength with a liquid crystal intracavity element

Yu-Pin Lan^*, Chao Yuan Chen, Ru Pin Pan, Ci Ling Pan

^*Corresponding author for this work

Department of Electrophysics

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

A novel and simple approach for fine-tuning a laser wavelength is proposed and demonstrated. The key element is a planarly aligned nematic liquid crystal (NLC) cell inserted between the grating and end mirror of an external-cavity semiconductor laser (ECL). Varying the voltage driving the NLC cell, causes its extraordinary index of refraction to change due to field-induced reorientation of the LC director. This is equivalent to tuning the laser cavity length. As a result, the laser wavelength can be continuously tuned. With a 35.5-μm-thick NLC cell, the output frequency of the present laser can be continuously tuned over 4 GHz. The root mean square driving voltage required is 1.5 V or less. The tuning range is in good agreement with the theoretical predictions.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	234-238
Number of pages	5
Journal	Optical Engineering
Volume	43
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1117/1.1629684
State	Published - 1 Jan 2004

Keywords

External-cavity diode laser
Frequency tuning
Nematic liquid crystal

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title = "Fine-tuning of a diode laser wavelength with a liquid crystal intracavity element",

abstract = "A novel and simple approach for fine-tuning a laser wavelength is proposed and demonstrated. The key element is a planarly aligned nematic liquid crystal (NLC) cell inserted between the grating and end mirror of an external-cavity semiconductor laser (ECL). Varying the voltage driving the NLC cell, causes its extraordinary index of refraction to change due to field-induced reorientation of the LC director. This is equivalent to tuning the laser cavity length. As a result, the laser wavelength can be continuously tuned. With a 35.5-μm-thick NLC cell, the output frequency of the present laser can be continuously tuned over 4 GHz. The root mean square driving voltage required is 1.5 V or less. The tuning range is in good agreement with the theoretical predictions.",

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author = "Yu-Pin Lan and Chen, {Chao Yuan} and Pan, {Ru Pin} and Pan, {Ci Ling}",

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T1 - Fine-tuning of a diode laser wavelength with a liquid crystal intracavity element

AU - Lan, Yu-Pin

AU - Chen, Chao Yuan

AU - Pan, Ru Pin

AU - Pan, Ci Ling

PY - 2004/1/1

Y1 - 2004/1/1

N2 - A novel and simple approach for fine-tuning a laser wavelength is proposed and demonstrated. The key element is a planarly aligned nematic liquid crystal (NLC) cell inserted between the grating and end mirror of an external-cavity semiconductor laser (ECL). Varying the voltage driving the NLC cell, causes its extraordinary index of refraction to change due to field-induced reorientation of the LC director. This is equivalent to tuning the laser cavity length. As a result, the laser wavelength can be continuously tuned. With a 35.5-μm-thick NLC cell, the output frequency of the present laser can be continuously tuned over 4 GHz. The root mean square driving voltage required is 1.5 V or less. The tuning range is in good agreement with the theoretical predictions.

AB - A novel and simple approach for fine-tuning a laser wavelength is proposed and demonstrated. The key element is a planarly aligned nematic liquid crystal (NLC) cell inserted between the grating and end mirror of an external-cavity semiconductor laser (ECL). Varying the voltage driving the NLC cell, causes its extraordinary index of refraction to change due to field-induced reorientation of the LC director. This is equivalent to tuning the laser cavity length. As a result, the laser wavelength can be continuously tuned. With a 35.5-μm-thick NLC cell, the output frequency of the present laser can be continuously tuned over 4 GHz. The root mean square driving voltage required is 1.5 V or less. The tuning range is in good agreement with the theoretical predictions.

KW - External-cavity diode laser

KW - Frequency tuning

KW - Nematic liquid crystal

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Fine-tuning of a diode laser wavelength with a liquid crystal intracavity element

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