Device for frequency modulation of a laser output spectrum

Patent · Tue Aug 12 00:00:00 EDT 1986

OSTI ID:5158222

Beene, J R; Bemis, Jr, C E

A device is described for frequency modulating the output of a dye laser, comprising: a continuous wave laser, having a resonant laser cavity including at least one mirror disposed for movement along an optical axis to alter the beam path of the cavity and thus the laser output wavelength; a piezolectric transducer capable of mechanical resonance vibrations along a longitudinal axis thereof in the range of from about 40 to 400 kHz when excited by a low amplitude excitation signal of corresponding frequency applied to an input thereof, the transducer being coupled to the at least one mirror to vibrate the mirror along the optical axis when an excitation signal is applied thereto; and an oscillating voltage sine wave source connected to the input of the piezoelectric transducer for generating the excitation signal so that at least one mirror is vibrated along the optical axis at a frequency equal to the mechanical resonance vibration frequency of the transducer, thereby frequency modulating the output of the dye laser.

• Assignee: Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC
• Patent Number(s): US 4605031
• OSTI ID: 5158222
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
420300* -- Engineering-- Lasers-- (-1989)
DYE LASERS
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
ELECTRICITY
ENERGY-LEVEL TRANSITIONS
EXCITATION
FREQUENCY MODULATION
FREQUENCY RANGE
KHZ RANGE
KHZ RANGE 01-100
KHZ RANGE 100-1000
LASER CAVITIES
LASER MIRRORS
LASERS
LIQUID LASERS
MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS
MIRRORS
MODULATION
OSCILLATIONS
PIEZOELECTRICITY
RESONANCE
SIGNALS
TRANSDUCERS
WAVELENGTHS