A narrow linewidth laser produces light with a minimal spectral width, or range of wavelengths, making it useful for various application where precise wavelength control and high spectral purity is essential.
While all lasers are inherently monochromatic, unless care is taken to stabilize the spectral output, the center frequency can vary over time, causing the time-averaged spectral linewidth to broaden. The linewidth of a laser refers to the width of the laser’s spectral line when viewed in a spectrograph. The laser linewidth is typically characterized by its full-width at half-maximum (FWHM), or its root mean square (RMS) linewidth. For example, a laser with a FWHM linewidth of 1 MHz is considered to have a narrow linewidth.
Various methods, such as grating feedback, external cavity, or active stabilization, can narrow the linewidth of a laser diode. Distributed feedback (DFB) laser diodes and external cavity laser diodes (ECLs, such as a volume Bragg grating or VBG laser diode) are common examples of narrow linewidth lasers. DFB laser diodes use a grating structure within the laser cavity to produce a narrow linewidth output. ECLs use an external cavity in conjunction with the laser diode to produce a narrow linewidth output. In the case of ECLs, the feedback for laser diode is provided by the external cavity, which is specially designed to have a high reflectivity at the wavelength of the laser diode. As a result, the laser diode is made to lase at a single frequency, which is the reflected frequency of the external cavity. This process results in a reduction of spectral width and a more stable and precise laser output.
Narrow Linewidth Laser Benefits
There are several benefits to using a narrow linewidth laser:
Precise wavelength control: They produce light with a particular and stable wavelength, which makes them useful for applications where precise wavelength control is essential.
High spectral purity: Because the spectral width of the laser output is very small, the light produced is highly pure and free from contaminating frequencies (single frequency lasers).
Improved measurement accuracy: In applications such as spectroscopy and metrology, the use of a narrow linewidth laser can improve measurement accuracy by eliminating errors that broad-spectrum light sources may introduce.
Increased signal-to-noise ratio: In telecommunications and other applications where the laser is used to transmit a signal, they can provide a higher signal-to-noise ratio compared to a laser with a broader linewidth. This can improve the overall performance of the system.
Enhanced stability: Known for their long-term stability, which makes them useful in applications where stability is essential, such as in atomic clocks.
Our Narrow Linewidth Products
We offer a wide range of stabilization technologies including distributed feedback (DFB), distributed Bragg reflector (DBR), and volume Bragg grating (VBG) diode lasers as well as a wide variety of temperature and current stabilized DPSS solutions. These lasers are available in OEM and turn-key packages which can be either single-mode or multimode beam profiles and free-space or fiber-coupled outputs. Narrow linewidth lasers are widely used in spectroscopy, gas sensing, holography, and interferometry.
How Can We Help?
With over 25 years experience providing narrow linewidth lasers to researchers and OEM integrators working in various markets and applications, and 1000s of units fielded, we have the experience to ensure you get the right product for the application. Working with RPMC ensures you are getting trusted advice from our knowledgeable and technical staff on a wide range of laser products. RPMC and our manufacturers are willing and able to provide custom solutions for your unique application.
If you have any questions, or if you would like some assistance please Contact Us here. Furthermore, you can email us at [email protected]to talk to a knowledgeable Product Manager.
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The FL CW/CW Modulated Series offers a variety of standard and custom CW fiber laser options. Available in both OEM and Turnkey formats, our 1um, 1.5um and 2um fiber lasers are manufactured to Telcordia standards and can be modified to meet your applications requirements. With available powers up to 100W at 1um, 30W at 1.5um and 40W at 2um, our CW fiber lasers are suitable for a wide range of applications. Available options and configurations include narrow linewidth, single frequency outputs, C and L-band broadband sources, PM fiber options, power tunability and high-speed trig./mod. Customized configurations are available upon request.
The Matchbox series offers excellent performance and reliability in the “World’s Smallest” ultra-compact, all-in-one, integrated laser head. They can operate on a 5V power supply while maintaining low noise operation. The monolithic design of the Matchbox Series laser includes thermally stabilized optics in a hermetically sealed housing, ensuring reliable and maintenance-free operation. This series is available in wavelengths from 405 nm thru 1064nm, with options for collimated beam or fiber-coupled output, and single-mode and multimode versions.
The Skylark series of ultrareliable, high performance, CW single-frequency lasers are available at a variety of wavelengths with high average powers, making them well suited for a variety of highly specialized scientific and industrial applications. BRaMMS Technology® enables superior performance, high output powers, and outstanding beam properties in an overall compact footprint. The Skylark series of lasers are utilized in a range of applications including holography, metrology, spectroscopy, and quantum technology.
The LaserBoxx-SLM series are single longitudinal mode (SLM) CW diode laser modules available in green, yellow, red, and NIR wavelengths, delivering ultra-narrow linewidths, with excellent temperature stability and low noise current. Embedded firmware locks the laser on the same mode at each startup. This customizable, compact, self-contained laser module is available in turn-key or OEM versions and utilizes a proprietary alignment-free, monolithic resonator, and comes standard with a graphic user interface with remote diagnostics via USB, RS232, or direct I/O interface. With modulation capabilities and adjustable power options, the SLM Series is versatile and adaptable to a wide range of applications.
The LaserBoxx Low Noise series of CW diode laser modules, with a variety of wavelengths from 375 to 785nm and output powers up to 350mW,offers highly customizable laser solutions for OEM and plug & play modules. With advanced features such as excellent beam quality, stability, and modulation capabilities, our lasers provide ultra-low noise and a wide range of options for SM, MM, and PM fiber coupling. Our dedicated control software, USB and RS232 interfaces, and external controller with power display make integration, operation, and remote diagnostics a breeze. Additionally, our rugged and compact design and wide variety of standard wavelengths ensure that our lasers can meet your specific needs.
The NPS series of ultrafast lasers is the ultimate solution for OEM integrators and researchers working with nonlinear optics applications like OPO pumping and narrowband Raman spectroscopy. The NPS series boasts remarkable features such as up to 10W average output power, <7ps pulse width, and a 40MHz repetition rate. The transform-limited operation, with a spectral width of <0.3nm, and accurate central wavelengths make these lasers a suitable candidate for highly efficient amplification by Nd-doped DPSS amplifiers.
The R series of wavelength stabilized single–mode and multimode laser diodes offer narrow linewidth output in wavelengths from 633nm thru 1064nm. This highly customizable series offers package options ranging from components as basic as a TO-56 or 14-pin BF packaged diodes, to OEM modules including electronics, to UL/CE and IEC certified turn-key systems. The R series is the perfect source for various markets, including chemical analysis, bio-medical, fiber laser, and scientific applications.
The REP series includes high-performance, tunable, single-frequency (DFB-like) diode lasers and Fabry-Perot laser diodes in wavelengths from 1270nm thru 2350nm, designed to address challenges in Gas Sensing, LIDAR, Spectroscopy, and Telecom. The REP series includes high-power and narrow linewidth options, covering various product ranges at the most popular wavelengths, providing customizable units with multiple packaging options, including the Fiber coupled 14-pin butterfly, TO39 (w/TEC), and TO56. For a complete module incorporating the fiber-coupled butterfly package with an integrated current driver and TEC controller, designed for ease of operation, it is the ideal platform for high stability gas detection or remote sensing. See the DX1 Series.
The RPK Series of multiple, single-emitter fiber-coupled diode lasers are available in wavelengths from 405nm thru 1550nm with up to 300W output power. Our specialized fiber-coupling techniques ensure high efficiency, stability, and superior beam quality, while rigorous inspections and burn-in procedures guarantee each product’s reliability, stability, and long lifetime. Highly customizable packages allow us to meet our customers’ specific needs, providing high-quality products at reasonable prices.
The RWLP series offers an affordable and versatile solution for your laser application needs with single-mode and multimode options and wavelengths from 405nm thru the IR region. With customizable options, our team can work with you to solve any challenges you may face. Rigorously tested for long-term reliability, the RWLP series ensures consistent performance and high beam quality. Perfect for integration, this series supports multiple applications including biological and analytical instrumentation.
The Microchip series is a line of ultra-compact, passively q-switched, single longitudinal mode (SLM), narrow linewidth, DPSS lasers that offer exceptional performance in a compact form factor. The lasers feature pulse durations ranging from 400 ps to 2 ns, energy levels up to 80 µJ, and repetition rates up to 100 kHz. Available in wavelengths from the UV to the NIR, this series is designed for OEM integrators and researchers working with LIDAR, 3D scanning, LIBS, night vision, and more. The lasers offer both nanosecond and picosecond options and are interchangeable with the same form factor and electrical and software interfaces across wavelengths, making them a flexible and versatile solution.
The uniMir Series is a long-wavelength, single-frequency, DFB, CW Quantum Cascade Laser based on proprietary technology. The technology’s versatility allows them to address any wavelength between 10 and 18µm in CW and up to 21µm in pulsed mode. now commercially available in a sealed High Heat Load (HHL) package, with integrated collimating lens, thermistor, and thermoelectric cooler (TEC), well suited for integration into systems, or as a stand-alone turnkey system for R&D and detection applications.
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What are Narrow Linewidth Lasers?
The REP series includes high-performance, tunable, single-frequency (DFB-like) diode lasers and Fabry-Perot laser diodes in wavelengths from 1270nm thru 2350nm, designed to address challenges in Gas Sensing, LIDAR, Spectroscopy, and Telecom. The REP series includes high-power and narrow linewidth options, covering various product ranges at the most popular wavelengths, providing customizable units with multiple packaging options, including the Fiber coupled 14-pin butterfly, TO39 (w/TEC), and TO56. For a complete module incorporating the fiber-coupled butterfly package with an integrated current driver and TEC controller, designed for ease of operation, it is the ideal platform for high stability gas detection or remote sensing. 
The uniMir Series is a long-wavelength, single-frequency, DFB, CW Quantum Cascade Laser based on proprietary technology. The technology’s versatility allows them to address any wavelength between 10 and 18µm in CW and up to 21µm in pulsed mode. now commercially available in a sealed High Heat Load (HHL) package, with integrated collimating lens, thermistor, and thermoelectric cooler (TEC), well suited for integration into systems, or as a stand-alone turnkey system for R&D and detection applications.