FIBER-COUPLED LASER-DIODE MOUNT FOR INTERFEROMETRY

One of the most difficult aspects of working with laser diodes in the laboratory is their sensitivity to optical feedback. This problem is particularly troublesome when trying to couple the laser light into an optical fiber for delivery to an interferometer or coherent fiber sensor. The general-purpose laser diode mount described here avoids at least some of these difficulties by using an angle-polished fiber cable and an inexpensive coupler based on a small tip/tilt stage. The mount is very stable, can be used with a variety of lasers, and is inexpensive to make.