Sine-wave modulated UV radiation generated with a cavity dumped frequency-doubled argon-ion laser

A method for the sine-wave modulation of UV radiation from a cavity dumped frequency-doubled argon-ion laser is proposed which is based on the use of intracavity Bragg angle acoustooptics. The scheme proposed here involves the use of a double-balanced mixer to provide electronic amplitude modulation of the Bragg cell driving (carrier) frequency. Full-wave rectification of the laser intensity profile merely requires altering the dc bias on the local oscillator port of the mixer to suppress the carrier. As a result, the laser is not only capable of generating sine-wave modulated light with any of the visible argon lines, but the same system is also capable of generating harmonically pure sine-wave modulated UV radiation by making a simple front-panel adjustment.