Dual wavelength oscillation by electronic tuning of a Ti:sapphire laser for difference-frequency generation

Summary form only given. The recent success of cw tunable radiation has brought much attention to difference-frequency generation (DFG) as a tunable infrared source. We have succeeded in developing an electronically tuned pulsed Ti:sapphire laser with an acousto-optic device. The dual wavelength oscillation in a single cavity as well as rapidly random-access tuning capability at 700-1000 nm is quite advantageous for DFG. Using the electronically controlled dual-wavelength Ti:sapphire laser, the rapidly and randomly tunable DFG with broad tuning range can be provided without rotation of a nonlinear crystal DFG mixing. An acousto-optic tunable filter is the key component for electrical tuning of the Ti:sapphire laser.