Open AccessStretching-tunable external-cavity laser locked by an elastic silicone grating
Author(s) -
Stefano Bertani,
Björn Jacobsson,
Fredrik Laurell,
Valdas Pasiskevicius,
Mårten Stjernström
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.14.011982
Subject(s) - materials science , optics , grating , polydimethylsiloxane , laser , distributed feedback laser , diffraction grating , silicone , optoelectronics , longitudinal mode , blazed grating , wavelength , diffraction efficiency , diffraction , composite material , physics
We demonstrate wavelength locking of a diode laser at 760 nm with feedback from an elastic transmission grating in the Littrow configuration. The laser was in a single longitudinal mode with a side-mode suppression of 20 dB. By stretching the grating the laser could be tuned over a few nm. The grating was fabricated in a silicone elastomer (polydimethylsiloxane) by a moulding technique, and coated by a thin layer of Ti and Au to achieve an increased diffraction efficiency needed for efficient locking.