Abstract

Many tunable laser-based analytical techniques developed over the past decade have remained research curiosities. The sensitivity and selectivity limits that have been demonstrated using these techniques are impressive. The lasers required for their implementation, however, are either too expensive or too complicated for routine settings. The advent of inexpensive, simple GaAlAs diode lasers offers the hope that this situation can be improved. These devices emit in the near infrared spectral region (670 - 850 nm) at typical powers of 5 to 30 mW. They generate coherent output beams and are tunable either by temperature or drive current control. Single longitudinal mode operation is standard for off-the-shelf, index-guided devices, and linewidths can be as narrow as a few tens of megahertz without any external cavity arrangement. An entire laser source (including laser and mount, temperature controller, and current supply) can be assembled from commercial components for less than $5000.

© 1990 Optical Society of America