Abstract
Microchip lasers1 have been frequency tuned using a variety of techniques including thermal tuning, piezoelectric tuning,2 and pumpdiode modulation.3 Each of these techniques provides frequency modulation at low excursion rates and has advantages for a given set of applications. However, for applications including frequency-modulated optical communications and chirped coherent laser radar, extremely high rates of tuning are required. These rates can only be achieved electro-optically.4 Composite-cavity electro-optically tuned microchip lasers provide linear voltage-to-frequency conversion with constant-, high-sensitivity tuning at rates from dc to several gigahertz. This, coupled with their simplicity, small size, robustness, high mode quality, and potential for low-cost mass production, should make them attractive for a large range of applications.
© 1993 Optical Society of America
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