Temperature-tunable UV generation using an Alexandrite laser and PPLN waveguides.

We present a simple and novel technique for achieving ultra-violet (UV) wavelength-tunable laser operation in the continuous-wave regime. Wavelength tunable operation in the near infrared is obtained from a compact two-mirror Alexandrite laser cavity by temperature tuning of the laser crystal. Second-harmonic-generation to the UV is then achieved at 376-379 nm and 384-386 nm by temperature tuning of a periodically-poled lithium-niobate (PPLN) waveguide.

Pump-induced lensing effects in diode pumped Alexandrite lasers.

It is essential to understand the pump-induced lensing and aberration effects in solid-state lasers, such as Alexandrite, since these set limits on laser power scaling whilst maintaining high spatial TEM beam quality. In this work, we present direct wavefront measurements of pump-induced lensing and spherical aberration using a Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor, for the first time, in a diode-pumped Alexandrite laser, and under both non-lasing and lasing conditions. The lens dioptric power is found to be weakly sub-linear with respect to the absorbed pump power, and under lasing, the lensing power is observed to decrease to 60 % of its non-lasing value.

Tunable, dual wavelength and self-Q-switched Alexandrite laser using crystal birefringence control.

We present a red-diode-pumped Alexandrite laser with continuous wavelength tunability, dual wavelength and self-Q-switching in an ultra-compact resonator containing only the gain medium. Wavelength tuning is obtained by varying the geometrical path length and birefringence by tilting a Brewster-cut Alexandrite crystal. Two crystals from independent suppliers are used to demonstrate and compare the performance.

Unidirectional single-frequency operation of a continuous-wave Alexandrite ring laser with wavelength tunability.

High resolution spectroscopy, metrology and quantum technologies (e.g. trapping and cooling) require precision laser sources with narrow linewidth and wavelength tunability.