title: Birefringence of solid-state laser media: broadband tuning discontinuities and application to laser line narrowing.
abstract: Spectral consequences that result from using birefringent media with broadband gain inside of laser cavities containing polarizing elements are described. We show that the laser intensity is modulated as a function of the output frequency unless the cavity elements are carefully aligned so that their polarization axis coincides with a principal optical axis of the gain medium. Analysis of the tuning characteristics of a birefringent polarizationdependent gain medium is exploited to provide a simple method for line narrowing the laser output. By introduction of an intracavity birefringent compensator the narrow-band output can be continuously tuned. Experimental results for alexandrite lasers are presented.
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Krasinski
authors.forename: Y B
authors.initials: YB
authors.lastname: Band
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chin
authors.forename: D F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Heller
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Papanestor