Dual wavelength dye laser incorporating distributed feedback

A dual wavelength dye laser has been constructed in which one wavelength is selected by distributed feedback and the other by a conventional external cavity tuned by a grazing incidence/Littrow grating pair. Both wavelengths are emitted collinearly and simultaneously, show the same temporal profile (10 ns pulse), have comparable linewidths (0.1/0.2 Å), are of comparable energies (0.5 mJ), and are independently tunable. The laser exhibits the low amplified spontaneous emission properties normally associated with distributed feedback lasers. Gain competition effects have been examined.