Method and apparatus for tuning coherent radiation

摘要

A tunable coherent radiation source comprises a pump laser which outputs a pump beam and a non-linear optical medium having a tuning pattern to provide tuning across a wavelength range. A translation system is arranged such that the pump beam is translated across the tuning pattern. The scanning pattern is formed such that translation of the pump beam across the tuning pattern provides one or more discontinuities in tuning across the wavelength range. A spectroscopic system and a hyperspectral imaging system comprising such a tunable coherent radiation source are described, as is a non-linear optical medium adapted for use in such a source. A method of providing coherent radiation tuned over a wavelength range is also described.

主权项

1. A tunable coherent radiation source comprising:
a pump laser which outputs a pump beam; a non-linear optical medium having a tuning pattern to provide tuning across a wavelength range; and a translation system arranged such that the pump beam is translated across the tuning pattern; whereby the tuning pattern is formed such that translation of the pump beam across the tuning pattern provides tuning of predetermined wavelengths, predetermined wavelength subranges, or both, within a predetermined wavelength range, and whereby the tuning pattern omits tuning of at least one wavelength region within the predetermined wavelength range, and whereby the predetermined wavelength range is within the full wavelength range of the non-linear optical medium.