A compact disk is used as a dispersive element for spectral narrowing and wavelength tuning in a tunable narrow-band dye laser. The performance of the laser with the compact disk is evaluated and compared with a similar laser system using a research grade diffraction grating.
REFERENCES
1.
K.
Kaufmann
, “Photodiodes advance optical storage device
,” Laser Focus World
32
(2
), 109
–112
(1996
).2.
Tunable Lasers Handbook, edited by F. J. Duarte (Academic, San Diego, 1995).
3.
H.
Kruglak
, “The compact disc as a diffraction grating
,” Phys. Educ.
26
(4
), 255
–256
(1991
).4.
J. E.
Kettler
, “The compact disk as a diffraction grating
,” Am. J. Phys.
59
(4
), 367
–368
(1991
).5.
T. W.
Hänsch
, “Repetitively pulsed tunable dye laser for high resolution spectroscopy
,” Appl. Opt.
11
(4
), 895
–898
(1972
).6.
D. C.
Hanna
, P. A.
Kärkkäinen
, and R.
Wyatt
, “A simple beam expander for frequency narrowing of dye lasers
,” Opt. Quantum Electron.
7
, 115
–119
(1975
).7.
L. G.
Nair
and K.
Dasgupta
, “Amplified spontaneous emission in narrow-band pulsed dye laser oscillators-theory and experiment
,” IEEE J. Quantum Electron.
21
(11
), 1782
–1794
(1985
).8.
U. Brackmann, “Laser dyes, properties, application and absorption spectra,” in Lamdachrome Laser Dyes (Lambda Physik GmbH, Germany, 1986).
9.
D.
Wright
, P.
Greve
, J.
Fleischer
, and L.
Austin
, “Laser beam width, divergence and beam propagation factor–an international approach
,” Opt. Quantum Electron.
24
, S993
–S1000
(1992
).10.
R. S.
Kunabenchi
, M. R.
Gorbal
, and M. I.
Savadatti
, “Simple nitrogen laser
,” Am. J. Phys.
50
(6
), 568
–569
(1982
).11.
R. C.
Hilborn
, “Design and construction of simple, nitrogen-laser-pumped, tunable dye lasers
,” Am. J. Phys.
46
(5
), 565
–572
(1978
).12.
A. J.
Alfrey
, “Flashlamp-pumped dye laser as an undergraduate lab project
,” Am. J. Phys.
49
(8
), 776
–781
(1981
).13.
J. E.
Sohl
and S. G.
Payton
, “A modular, reconfigurable-cavity, pulsed dye laser for the advanced undergraduate laboratory
,” Am. J. Phys.
65
(7
), 640
–652
(1997
).
This content is only available via PDF.
© 2005 American Association of Physics Teachers.
2005
American Association of Physics Teachers
AAPT members receive access to the American Journal of Physics and The Physics Teacher as a member benefit. To learn more about this member benefit and becoming an AAPT member, visit the Joining AAPT page.
