| abstract |
An external cavity laser assembly ( 10 ) that generates a light beam ( 12 ) includes a gain medium ( 14 ) and a diffraction grating ( 24 ). The gain medium ( 14 ) has a growth direction ( 14 C), a fast axis ( 14 A), a first facet ( 34 A), and a second facet ( 34 B) that is spaced apart from the first facet ( 34 A). The gain medium ( 14 ) emits from both facets ( 34 A) ( 34 B). Further, a beam polarization ( 30 ) of the light beam ( 32 ) emitting from the second facet ( 34 B) is perpendicular to the growth direction ( 14 C) and the fast axis ( 14 A). The grating ( 24 ) includes a plurality of grating ridges ( 24 A) that are oriented parallel to the beam polarization ( 30 ). Moreover, each of the grating ridges ( 24 A) can have a substantially rectangular shaped cross-sectional profile. |