Multi-chip vecsel-based laser tunable independently at multiple wavelengths

Abstract

A laser device capable to simultaneously generate light at multiple wavelengths that are independently (and, optionally, simultaneously) tunable without a limit of how small a spectral separation between such wavelengths can be made is enabled with the use of a laser-cavity network that (i) contains multiple spatially-distinct laser cavity portions all of which have at least one spatial region of the cavity network in common and (ii) is defined by such optical elements that prevent the intracavity amplification of light at first and second of multiple wavelengths at the expense of the same laser gain medium. Each of the distinct cavity portions contains a dedicated laser chip supporting the generation of light at a corresponding wavelength. In a special case, at least two of the multiple lasing wavelengths in the output of the device can be simultaneously and independently tuned to become equal.