14 GHz broadband and continuously frequency-tuned Nd:YVO4 laser with an RTP etalon.

ABSTRACT

A laser-diode-pumped broadband and continuously frequency-tuned all-solid-state NdYVO4 laser at 1064 nm with an output power of 200 mW is demonstrated. A RbTiOPO4 (RTP) etalon and a piezoelectric-transducer (PZT) are utilized for coarse and fine frequency tuning, respectively. Dependence of the frequency excursion on the applied voltage to the RTP etalon and the displacement of the PZT is theoretically and experimentally investigated. A continuous frequency tuning of 14 GHz is conducted by synchronous adjustment of the RTP etalon and the PZT. The tuning covers more than 6 times the longitudinal mode spacing of a laser resonator without any mode hops.