Precise wavelength tuning of a dye laser using an active diffractive optical element

In this work, an active, reflecting diffraction grating was developed and characterized. A grating was holographically imposed onto the surface of a ceramic which could be deformed via the transverse, inverse piezoelectric effect, thus allowing active fine tuning of the grating constant. The tuning characteristics of this novel optical element were studied and the results compared with the linear theory of the piezoelectric effect. To demonstrate its applicability, the grating was installed in a dye laser and used to effect precise tuning of the output wavelength of the laser within a range of 220 pm. The possibility of quasi-static to high frequency operation of the system will allow this element to find use in a wide variety of applications, Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.