Iodine-stabilized high resolution dual-frequency Ti: sapphire laser.

A dual frequency Ti: sapphire laser is presented in which two lines operate simultaneously with the same intensity on two TM longitudinal modes. This operation is obtained by means of the I molecules contained in an intra-cavity cell, pumped by a low-power laser. Its properties are interesting: the two lines lase simultaneously, they overlap spatially, their spectral width could be very narrow, their frequency is automatically locked to molecular frequencies and can serve as a frequency reference, the frequency difference is adjustable over the thousands of rotational or vibrational molecular energy gaps in the 0.1-0.9 THz and 3-6 THz domains, and it is computable with high precision. THz wave production is demonstrated as a first application.