Precise wavelength control of a single-frequency pulsed Ho:Tm:YLF laser

We demonstrate wavelength control of a single-frequency diode-pumped Ho:Tm:YLF laser by referencing its wavelength to an absorption line of carbon dioxide. We accomplish this wavelength control by injection seeding with a cw Ho:Tm:YLF laser that can be tuned over or stabilized to carbon dioxide or water vapor lines. We show that the pulsed laser can be scanned precisely over an absorption line of carbon dioxide by scanning the injection seed laser wavelength. We locked the pulsed laser to within 18.5 MHz of the absorption line center by stabilizing the injection seed on the line center. The single-frequency pulsed output, intended for use as a transmitter for differential absorption lidar detection of atmospheric carbon dioxide and water vapor and for coherent detection of wind, is 100 mJ per pulse at a 5-Hz repetition rate. (C) 2002 Optical Society of America.