Patent ID: 6160825
Filing Date: 2000-12-12
Classification: H01S

Abstract:
A method for calibrating a tunable laser which emits a laser beam, said laser having a laser wavelength settable within a tuning range, the method comprising the steps of:a. providing a reference cell containing a reference medium having a fluorescence spectrum at least partially in the tuning range of the laser;b. providing a photon detector for detecting the fluorescence spectrum of said reference cell and for converting the fluorescence spectrum into an electric signal; andc. providing a control unit for accessing an actuator for setting the laser wavelength of the laser to be calibrated and for accessing the electric signal of the photon detector,wherein at least part of the laser beam emitted by the laser to be calibrated is directed into the reference cell containing the reference medium thereby exciting the reference medium into fluorescence, detecting the fluorescence spectrum of the reference medium with the photon detector, converting the detected fluorescence spectrum of the reference medium into the electric signal with the photon detector, inputting the electric signal into the control unit, and accessing the actuator for setting the laser wavelength based on the electric signal.