Continuous dynamic frequency tuning of pulse laser radiation

It is demonstrated for the first time that stimulated emission tuned continuously over a wide range can be obtained from pulse lasers with wide gain profiles (including solid-state lasers). The tuning range is at least two orders of magnitude greater than the intermode spacing and this is achieved by varying the length of a resonator emitting quasicontinuously by 100 or more wavelengths during stimulated emission. A report is given of experimental attainment of continuous tuning of single-mode neodymium laser radiation in a range of 0.5 cm^–1. Estimates obtained indicate that under certain conditions it is possible to achieve continuous tuning of ruby laser radiation in the range 1–2 cm^–1, of neodymium glass laser radiation in the range 5–8 cm^–1, and of dye laser radiation in a range up to 100 cm^–1.