External-cavity semiconductor laser with 1000 GHz continuous piezoelectric tuning range

A 1000-GHz continuous tuning range is achieved using a single piezoelectric transducer to orient a diffraction grating in an external-cavity semiconductor laser. The laser output power ripple versus wavelength is 15%, and the linewidth is less than 500 kHz. Large-amplitude piezoelectrically controlled wavelength modulation can be done at modulation frequencies on the order of 100 Hz. The maximum modulation frequency, continuous electrical tuning range, and linewidth are limited by the mechanical design of the external cavity. This device should have wide application in spectroscopy, metrology, and remote sensing.<
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