THE DIODE-LASER AS A SPECTROSCOPIC TOOL

The properties of diode lasers that make them attractive as spectrosco pic sources are discussed, along with the use of extended cavities to enhance their tuning range and reduce their linewidths. Semiconductors can now provide efficient, tunable, narrow linewidth laser light over much of the red and near-i.r. region of the spectrum. The progress in using nonlinear optics to extend the useful wavelength range of diode s lasers is also considered. Our recent analytical work with diode las er spectroscopy provides examples of their application.