Tunable Coherent Light Sources

Abstract

In this chapter experimental realizations of some tunable coherent sources are discussed which are of particular relevance for spectroscopic applications. In the different spectral regions different tuning methods have been developed which will be illustrated by several examples. While semiconductor lasers, spin-flip Raman lasers, and optical parametric oscillators are to date the most widely used tunable infrared sources, the dye laser in its various modifications is by far the most important tunable laser in the visible region. The development of color center lasers seems to be very promising for achieving a tunable device in the near infrared, which competes in its outstanding properties with the dye laser. In the ultraviolet region the last years have brought great progress in the development of new types of lasers as well as in the generation of coherent uv radiation by frequency doubling or mixing techniques. Meanwhile the whole spectral range from the far infrared to the vacuum ultraviolet can be covered by a variety of tunable coherent sources.