Compact, transversely pumped, narrowband Ti:sapphire ring resonators

Summary form only given. Ti:sapphire lasers have proven to be useful sources of near-infrared radiation for applications such as spectroscopy, non-linear optics and remote sensing. Because these applications require narrowband radiation it is essential to narrow down the very broad emission spectrum of Ti:sapphire. Narrowband operation, including a single longitudinal mode, is achieved by employing one or more intracavity frequency selective elements such as diffraction gratings etc. or using ring resonators and making the cavity unidirectional. To this date all narrowband Ti:sapphire lasers have used Brewster angled rods in a longitudinally pumped geometry. Transverse pumping of Ti:sapphire slabs has been successfully demonstrated in the development of holographic Ti:sapphire laser oscillators. We present two narrowband Ti:sapphire ring resonators which use a compact transverse pumping geometry.