A method and system for obtaining single-frequency operation of a laser system. A laser beam is emitted from a laser cavity, having an adjustable length, at a plurality of cavity lengths. At least a portion of the laser beam is received at a detector, which detects the presence of transverse and/or longitudinal modes in the laser beam, and generates a laser beam signal having a beat-note indicative thereof. The laser beam signal for each of the plurality of cavity lengths can be analyzed, and a cavity length of best mode purity, indicating single-frequency operation, can be selected. The laser beam system can emit a laser and have a laser beam splitter for directing at least a portion of the emitted laser beam to a laser beam detector for generating at least one laser beam signal therefrom, and an actuator for adjusting the length of the laser cavity.

A tunable source includes a short-cavity laser optimized for performance and reliability in SSOCT imaging systems, spectroscopic detection systems, and other types of detection and sensing systems. The short cavity laser has a large free spectral range cavity, fast tuning response and single transverse, longitudinal and polarization mode operation, and includes embodiments for fast and wide tuning, and optimized spectral shaping. Disclosed are both electrical and optical pumping in a MEMS-VCSEL geometry with mirror and gain regions optimized for wide tuning, high output power, and a variety of preferred wavelength ranges; and a semiconductor optical amplifier, combined with the short-cavity laser to produce high-power, spectrally shaped operation. Several preferred imaging and detection systems make use of this tunable source for optimized operation are also disclosed.

The present invention relates to a device and a method for performing overall frequency stabilization of a femtosecond laser optical comb by using optical modes directly extracted from the optical comb, and more particularly, to a device and a method for performing overall frequency stabilization of a femtosecond laser optical comb by using optical modes directly extracted from the optical comb capable of stabilizing an overall range of frequencies of the femtosecond laser optical comb by using optical modes directly extracted from the optical comb and generating a cw laser and pulse having an excellent frequency stability and linewidth from the stabilized optical comb.

A tunable source includes a short-cavity laser optimized for performance and reliability in SSOCT imaging systems, spectroscopic detection systems, and other types of detection and sensing systems. The short cavity laser has a large free spectral range cavity, fast tuning response and single transverse, longitudinal and polarization mode operation, and includes embodiments for fast and wide tuning, and optimized spectral shaping. Disclosed are both electrical and optical pumping in a MEMS-VCSEL geometry with mirror and gain regions optimized for wide tuning, high output power, and a variety of preferred wavelength ranges; and a semiconductor optical amplifier, combined with the short-cavity laser to produce high-power, spectrally shaped operation. Several preferred imaging and detection systems make use of this tunable source for optimized operation are also disclosed.

A tunable source includes a short-cavity laser optimized for performance and reliability in SSOCT imaging systems, spectroscopic detection systems, and other types of detection and sensing systems. The short cavity laser has a large free spectral range cavity, fast tuning response and single transverse, longitudinal and polarization mode operation, and includes embodiments for fast and wide tuning, and optimized spectral shaping. Disclosed are both electrical and optical pumping in a MEMS-VCSEL geometry with mirror and gain regions optimized for wide tuning, high output power, and a variety of preferred wavelength ranges; and a semiconductor optical amplifier, combined with the short-cavity laser to produce high-power, spectrally shaped operation. Several preferred imaging and detection systems make use of this tunable source for optimized operation are also disclosed.

It is provided a laser arrangement for generating laser light, comprising a laser resonator for initial oscillation of two laser modes between a first and a second resonator mirror which are spaced apart from one another by a resonator length. The second resonator mirror can be configured and provided for coupling the two laser modes out of the laser resonator and has a first frequency-dependent attenuation profile for laser light. The laser arrangement further comprises a laser medium which is arranged between the resonator mirrors, a measuring device which is configured and provided for measuring at least one parameter of the two out-coupled laser modes and/or at least one ambient condition of the laser arrangement, and a control device which is configured and provided for adjusting the resonator length and the first attenuation profile on the basis of the at least one parameter and/or the at least one ambient condition.