Two-frequency free-running diode laser for atom optics applications

We demonstrate a simple and effective method of a multiple- frequency operation of diode laser by using the direct RF modulation of injection current. A substantial fraction of the total laser power (up to 40%) was obtained in a single side band at frequency range from 2.5 GHz to 4 GHz with microwave power less than 26 mW. We have found simple explanation of the high efficiency of modulation of the laser radiation spectrum based on resonant excitation of a relaxation oscillation.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.