A frequency-locked mode-locked cw dye laser for high-resolution spectroscopy in the frequency domain

Abstract
International audienceA synchronously mode‐locked cw dye laser suitable for high‐resolution spectroscopy in the frequency domain is described. The number of oscillating modes has been reduced to restrict the laser bandwidth to the order of the Doppler width of the molecular transitions. By frequency locking one of the oscillating laser modes to a reference cavity, the linewidth of each mode of the frequency comb has been narrowed to less than 500 kHz. The tuning of the central frequency extends from 5650 to 6300 Å in the case of R6G. The mode spectrum of the laser can be continuously translated in frequency over several gigahertz