Frequency scanning and stabilization of the parameters of a ruby laser for spectroscopic applications

An investigation was made of a ruby laser with stabilized emission parameters. The stabilization was achieved by varying the resonator length at a high rate (up to 6 m/sec) with a rotating glass plate located in the resonator. In this way regular spiking conditions were obtained. The amplitude, repetition period, and duration of the spikes, as well as the angular divergence of the output radiation, were stabilized by this method. The emission frequency was controlled by an electrooptic Lyot filter. The range of variation of the emission frequency in a pulse was 0.1–7 cm^–1, depending on the scanning voltage, and the precision of the frequency tuning was at least ±0.01 cm^–1. The laser was developed for the investigation of extremely weak absorption lines of a gas placed inside the resonator.