2.4 THz/s continuously linearly frequency-modulated Nd:YVO₄ laser

We demonstrate a linearly frequency-modulated laser from a laser diode (LD) pumped Nd:YVO₄ laser. A fast frequency tuning of 2.40 THz/s with a tuning range of 6 GHz is achieved in LD pumped Nd:YVO₄ 1064 nm laser by using RbTiOPO₄ (RTP) crystals as the frequency modulator. The continuous tuning range is more than 3 times the longitudinal mode spacing of the resonator. The maximum output power of frequency-modulated laser reaches 160 mW at 1064 nm. Linewidth of the single frequency laser is measured to be 190 kHz by a delay self-heterodyne interferometer. A deviation lower than 60 MHz is obtained during linear modulation.