On enhanced tuning capabilities of external cavity lasers using acousto-optic modulators

For an enhanced tuning of an external-cavity Littrow diode laser at 670 nm a new approach based on the frequency controlling of intra-cavity acousto-optic modulators (AOM) has been developed and tested. Using a method called mode shaking a nearly continuously laser tuning over a frequency range of 186 GHz (0.279 nm) within a time interval of 20 ms has been achieved. A further method called far laser frequency jump allows frequency changes of up to 1080 GHz (1.6 nm) between two spectral regions of the diode laser emission range within about 50 mu s.