Tunable Lasers
Author: the photonics expert Dr. Rüdiger Paschotta (RP)
Definition: lasers the output wavelengths of which can be tuned
Alternative term: wavelength-tunable lasers
Category:
Related: wavelength tuningwavelength-swept laserswavelength-tunable light sourcestitanium–sapphire lasersvibronic lasersdye lasersoptical parametric oscillatorsdistributed Bragg reflector lasersexternal-cavity diode lasersmode hoppinglaser spectroscopyWavelength-Tunable Lasers: Does the Tuner Degrade the Power Efficiency?
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What is a Tunable Laser?
A tunable laser (alternative spelling: tuneable laser) is a laser for which the emission wavelength can be tuned (i.e. adjusted) (→ wavelength tuning). That tuning is usually possible during operation, i.e., it does not only mean that a certain wavelength can be permanently set in the factory. Very wide tuning ranges (hundreds of nanometers) are achieved in some cases, while in other cases tuning is possible only over a fraction of a nanometer. Lasers are sometimes called wavelength agile or frequency agile when the tuning can be done with high speed.
Tunable lasers usually operate in a continuous fashion with a small emission bandwidth, although some Q-switched and mode-locked lasers can also be wavelength-tuned.
The tuning characteristics can be of substantially different kinds:
- There are single-frequency lasers, where the emission linewidth is very narrow, corresponding to a very well-defined wavelength. Some of these lasers can be continuously tuned only over a small range of optical frequencies, while others can be tuned over a frequency range which is much larger than the free spectral range of the laser resonator. Only with relatively sophisticated technology, one can achieve tuning over a large range without mode hopping, i.e., a discontinuous evolution of the optical frequency.
- Other lasers operate on multiple resonator modes simultaneously, so that their optical spectrum exhibits several or even many spectral lines. In such cases, wavelength tuning usually just means that the envelope of the optical spectrum can be shifted, but with no control of the individual line frequencies.
There are certain lasers which are optimized such that the output wavelength can be periodically and rapidly swept through a substantial range. They are called wavelength-swept lasers and discussed in a separate encyclopedia article. Some of those lasers are not suitable for arbitrary tuning, but only for the mentioned periodic mode.
Note that there are also other kinds of wavelength-tunable light sources such as optical parametric oscillators and sources based on supercontinuum generation. The latter are much more limited in terms of radiance and particularly spectral radiance, but can cover a very wide spectral range.
Widely Tunable Lasers
Some types of lasers offer particularly broad wavelength tuning ranges:
- A few solid-state bulk lasers (see Figure 1), in particular titanium–sapphire lasers and Cr:ZnSe and Cr:ZnS lasers allow tuning over hundreds of nanometers in the near- and mid-infrared spectral region. (In general, transition-metal doped laser gain media offer larger tuning ranges than rare-earth-doped laser gain media, since the electrons involved in such media interact more strongly with the host lattice; see the article on vibronic lasers.) Output powers can be hundreds of milliwatts or even multiple watts.
- Dye lasers also allow for broadband tunability. Different dyes can cover very broad wavelength ranges, e.g. throughout the visible region. There are narrow-linewidth dye laser systems (continuous-wave or pulsed) for use in laser spectroscopy, and also mode-locked dye lasers generating femtosecond pulses.
- Some free-electron lasers can cover enormously broad wavelength ranges, and often in extreme spectral regions.
Other types of lasers offer tuning ranges spanning a few nanometers to some tens of nanometers:
- Rare-earth-doped fiber lasers, e.g. based on erbium, can often be tuned over tens of nanometers, sometimes even more than 100 nm. Often, they can cover one or two telecom wavelength bands, e.g. the C and L band. Most Raman fiber lasers also have the potential for wideband tuning.
- Some rare-earth-doped laser crystals, often doped with ytterbium, also allow for substantial tuning ranges of bulk lasers. Examples are tungstates, vanadates, Yb:BOYS, and Yb:CALGO.
- Color center lasers rely on broadband gain from certain lattice defects in a crystal, which can be generated e.g. with gamma irradiation. They are not widely used, however.
- Most laser diodes can be tuned over a few nanometers by varying the junction temperature, but some special types such as external-cavity diode lasers and distributed Bragg reflector lasers can be tuned over 40 nm and more with additional means such as an intracavity diffraction grating.
- Quantum cascade lasers are also broadly tunable mid-infrared laser sources.
Some fine tuning, often continuously without mode hops, is possible for other lasers:
- Some compact solid-state bulk lasers such as nonplanar ring oscillators (NPROs, MISERs) allow continuous tuning within their free spectral range of several gigahertz. Tuning may be accomplished by applying stress to the laser crystal via a piezo, or by varying the crystal temperature.
- Similar fine tuning is possible with some single-frequency laser diodes, e.g. by varying the drive current.
For wideband tuning in various spectral regions, optical parametric oscillators (OPOs) can be used. These are actually not lasers, but OPO sources are nevertheless sometimes included with the term tunable laser sources.
Tuning Mechanisms
The physical mechanisms used to achieve wavelength tuning vary by laser type and required speed:
- Cavity length adjustment: For single-frequency lasers, changing the optical path length of the resonator (e.g. by moving a mirror with a piezoelectric transducer) shifts the frequencies of the longitudinal modes. This allows for fine tuning, but is limited by the free spectral range.
- Refractive index change: In laser diodes, changing the temperature or the carrier density (via drive current) alters the refractive index of the gain medium, shifting the Bragg wavelength in DFB/DBR structures or the cavity modes in Fabry–Pérot devices.
- Selective feedback elements: Intracavity elements such as diffraction gratings (e.g. in external-cavity diode lasers), birefringent tuners (in titanium–sapphire lasers), or etalons can be rotated or adjusted to select a specific wavelength band for amplification while suppressing others.
- Phase matching adjustment: In optical parametric oscillators (OPOs), tuning is achieved by altering the phase-matching condition, typically by changing the crystal temperature, angle, or poling period (in periodically poled materials).
Applications of Tunable Lasers
Wavelength-tunable laser sources have many applications, some examples of which are:
- In optical fiber communications with wavelength division multiplexing, a tunable diode laser can serve as a spare if one of the fixed-wavelength lasers for the particular channels fails. Even though the cost for a tunable laser is higher, its use can be economical as a single spare laser can work on any transmission channel where it is needed. As the cost of a tunable laser may not be much higher than for non-tunable ones, tunable lasers are sometimes even used throughout. There are C-band-tunable versions and others for other telecom bands like the S, L, U, E or O band.
- In laser absorption spectroscopy, a wavelength-tunable laser with narrow optical bandwidth can be used for recording absorption spectra with very high frequency resolution. In a LIDAR system, a laser may be tuned to a wavelength which is specific to a certain substance to be monitored.
- Various methods of laser cooling require a laser wavelength to be adjusted very precisely at or near some atomic resonance.
- Tuning to atomic resonances is also used in laser isotope separation. The laser is then tuned to a particular isotope to ionize these atoms and subsequently deflect them with an electric field.
- A tunable laser can be used for device characterization, e.g. of photonic integrated circuits.
- In optical frequency metrology, it is often necessary to stabilize the wavelength of a laser to a certain reference standard (e.g. a multipass gas cell or an optical reference cavity). This can be accomplished e.g. with an electronic feedback system, which automatically adjusts the laser wavelength.
- Some interferometers and fiber-optic sensors profit from a wavelength-tunable laser source, e.g. if this makes it possible to remove an ambiguity or to avoid mechanical scanning of an optical path length.
Frequently Asked Questions
This FAQ section was generated with AI based on the article content and has been reviewed by the article’s author (RP).
What is a tunable laser?
A tunable laser is a type of laser where the emission wavelength can be adjusted, typically during operation. The achievable tuning range can vary from a fraction of a nanometer to hundreds of nanometers, depending on the laser type.
What kinds of lasers offer very wide wavelength tuning ranges?
Particularly wide tuning ranges are offered by certain solid-state bulk lasers like titanium–sapphire lasers and Cr:ZnSe lasers, as well as by dye lasers. Some free-electron lasers can also cover extremely broad wavelength ranges.
What does mode-hop-free tuning mean?
Mode-hop-free tuning refers to the ability to continuously adjust a laser's optical frequency without discontinuous jumps. These jumps, called mode hopping, occur when the laser emission switches from one resonator mode to another instead of smoothly changing frequency.
How are tunable lasers used in fiber optic communications?
In optical fiber communications using wavelength division multiplexing (WDM), a single tunable laser can serve as a versatile spare for any of the fixed-wavelength channel lasers, reducing inventory costs. They are sometimes used for all channels.
What is a typical application of tunable lasers in spectroscopy?
In laser absorption spectroscopy, a narrow-linewidth tunable laser can scan its wavelength across the absorption lines of a substance. This allows for the recording of absorption spectra with very high frequency resolution.
How are diode lasers made tunable?
Most laser diodes can be tuned over a few nanometers by changing their temperature. Broader tuning is achieved in special designs like external-cavity diode lasers, which often use an intracavity element like a diffraction grating.
Are optical parametric oscillators also tunable lasers?
No, optical parametric oscillators (OPOs) are not technically lasers, as they are based on parametric amplification rather than stimulated emission. However, they are powerful and widely tunable light sources and are often grouped with tunable lasers.
Suppliers
Sponsored content: The RP Photonics Buyer's Guide contains 107 suppliers for tunable lasers. Among them:

TOPTICA offers various tunable diode laser systems. The combined spectral coverage is from 190 nm to 4000 nm, powers up to 4 W (TA), mode-hop-free tuning over up to 110 nm (CTL).
TOPTICA´s CLS ultrastable clock laser systems are diode lasers whose linewidth is reduced to less than 1 Hz via frequency stabilization to high-finesse optical ULE cavities. The CLS is designed to maintain its exceptional frequency stability also under out-of-the lab conditions. Its robust design, excellent passive shielding and active vibration compensation make it resilient towards external acoustic and seismic vibrations

GWU-Lasertechnik has more than 30 years of experience in lasers and nonlinear optics. We are the pioneer of commercial BBO OPO technology. Our widely tunable laser sources cover the spectral range from the deep-UV at < 190 nm to the IR at > 2700 nm continuously. We offer pulsed solutions for nano-, pico- and femtosecond pulses with best performance and highest reliability. Our rugged all-solid-state Laser technology does not require any consumable supplies and is thus providing most convenient usability, longest lifetime and excellent total costs of ownership. With a vast flexibility and a huge versatility, GWU’s laser products can serve the needs even for the most demanding scientific and industrial applications.

Our highly tunable OPO laser systems allow tuning across the light spectrum from visible to infrared.
Example solutions:
- CW OPO laser systems: The Titan CW OPO laser system delivers continuously tuneable output wavelengths in the mid-IR from 1435–4138 nm with excellent beam quality and high peak powers.
- Picosecond OPO laser systems: The Zenith picosecond OPO laser system offers fully automated, hands-free tuning in the range of 1387–4000 nm with the highest power levels available in the market.
- Femtosecond OPO laser systems: The Inspire OPO offers fully automated gap-free tuning from 345–2500 nm in a single system with excellent beam quality, ultra-short pulses and high peak powers. On the other hand, the Oria IR offers fully automated wavelength tuning in the range of 1000–4090 nm with high average power, excellent beam quality and ultra-short pulsed. This range can extend down to 350 nm when used alongside our Oria Vis and Oria Blue second harmonic generators.
Why choose our tuneable lasers?
- Industry-leading CW and ultrafast OPO laser systems
- Broad spectral coverage
- Hands-free wavelength tuning
- High average powers
- Excellent beam quality

DRS Daylight Solutions offers a number of wavelength-tunable quantum cascade lasers:
- The MIRcat-QT™ is a very rapidly wavelength-tunable version with up to 30,000 cm−1/s, covering wavelengths beyond 13 μm.
- The Hedgehog™ models are wavelength-tunable lasers for mid-IR spectroscopy with up to 0.5 W average power and 1 W peak power. Ultra-quiet, superior wavelength repeatability.
- The CW-MHF™ is the ultimate tool for high-resolution, mid-IR spectroscopy with high spectral resolution and phase-continuous tuning to avoid jumping over spectral lines.
- The H-Model mid-IR laser offers high-power, mid-IR OEM laser performance in a compact footprint. CW and pulsed operation are possible.

ModeHybrid is a versatile high-power fiber laser system with multiple outputs: 1560 nm, 1060 nm, wavelength-tunable, and an octave-spanning supercontinuum. Suited for most demanding scientific and industrial applications, like: laser spectroscopy, nonlinear frequency conversion, mid-infrared frequency comb generation, and many others.
Main features:
- Pulse repetition rate: between 50 and 125 MHz (other on request)
- Multiple laser outputs (1060 nm, 1550 nm, 1650–2000 nm, supercontinuum, SHG)
- Pulse duration: < 150 fs @ 1060 nm, < 50 fs @ 1550 nm, < 100 fs @ 1650–2000 nm
- Tunable repetition rate option available
- Optional stabilization of the repetition frequency f_rep
- Optional detection and stabilization of the offset frequency f0
- Electro-optical modulator option for PDH locking
- Self-starting, maintenance-free, button-operated, single-box solution
- SESAM-free mode-locking

VEXLUM's products utilize VECSEL technology for tunable narrow-linewidth operation. Typical tuning ranges are ±1 nm, extending up to 100 nm at IR wavelengths. For more information, please contact us.

Spectra Quest Lab offers tunable lasers providing mode-hop-free tuning over nearly the entire tunable range wider than 100 nm while suppressing ASE noise (SMSR > 80 dB) and delivering high PM fiber output power at any wavelength model. Available from 880 nm to 1680 nm.
The high precision model λ-Master is suitable for laboratory use and has a data acquisition function that is synchronized with wavelength tuning.
The high scan rate model: λ-Rapid achieves scan rates of up to 600 nm/s, making it suitable for frequency domain measurements such as OFDR. It is compact and can be installed in instruments.
λ-Lock is a manual tuning model.
All models have an analog wavelength tuning function using PZT and LD current modulation function (bandwidth: 5 MHz).

Irisiome offers a portfolio of tunable ultrafast fiber lasers combining compact design, turnkey operation, and proprietary electronic pulse generation:
- The MANNY series provides tunable picosecond pulses with adjustable repetition rates and watt-level power.
- The PEACHES series, developed for quantum technologies, delivers femtosecond to picosecond pulses with GHz-range tunability, external synchronization, and optional operation at 920 or 1550 nm.
These versatile systems are ideal for spectroscopy, amplification, and quantum photonics.

The SuperK CHROMATUNE is the World’s broadest tunable laser. It gives you an unmatched, gap-free tuning range from 400–1000 nm. SuperK CHROMATUNE is a fiber laser that ensures excellent reliability and a lifetime of thousands of hours. It requires no maintenance or service, no alignment or adjustments. It is easy to use and lets you focus on your work.

All Radiantis lasers are broadly tunable lasers, specially designed for the scientific community. Femtosecond and picosecond pulses as well as continuous-wave (CW) temporal regimes are offered with automatic tuning across the UV, visible and IR.

Thorlabs produces a variety of benchtop and rack-mounted tunable laser sources with wide tuning ranges in the C-, L-, or O-band. Our microelectromechanical system (MEMS) tunable vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) are available with a center wavelength of 1060 nm or 1300 nm and feature a 100 nm sweep range. These lasers are ideal for high-speed and long-range optical coherence tomography (OCT) systems requiring superior sensitivity.

By combining the LEUKOS supercontinuum source Rock with the widely tunable filter BEBOP, you obtain a light source which can be tuned from the near UV to the infrared.

For researchers demanding wide tuning range, high conversion efficiency and narrow linewidth, EKSPLA tunable wavelength lasers are an excellent choice. All models feature hands-free wavelength tuning, valuable optical components protection system as well as wide range of accessories and extension units.
EKSPLA's long-term experience and close cooperation with scientific institutions made it possible to create a wide range of models, offering probably the widest tuning range: from 193 nm to 16000 nm. Versions offering near transform limited linewidth as well as operating at kilohertz repetition rates are available.

The Stuttgart Instruments Alpha is an ultrafast and fully wavelength-tunable frequency conversion system in an ultra-compact and completely passively stable system based on revolutionary parametric oscillator design which guarantees outstanding stability, reproducibility and shot-noise limited performance.
The revolutionary design of Stuttgart Instruments Alpha, characterized by outstanding low noise and passive long-term stability, is based on the fiber-feedback optical parametric oscillator (FFOPO) technology and results in outstanding performance and high flexibility at the same time.
The Alpha covers a gap-free rapid tunable spectral range from 700 nm to 20 µm wavelengths, while maintaining high output power up to the Watt-level with femto- or picosecond pulses at several MHz pulse repetition rates. It provides multiple simultaneously tunable outputs with a selectable bandwidth from a few to 100 cm−1. Shot-noise limited performance above 300 kHz, passive spectral stability (< 0.02% rms) and wavelength-independent stable beam pointing (< 30 µrad) enable excellent sensitivity. In addition, each Alpha is equipped with a user-friendly ethernet and Wi-Fi interface and a matching graphical user interface (GUI) as well as easy to access API interfaces for e.g. LabView, Python, C++.
Typically, the Alpha is pumped by an ultra-low-noise Primus pump laser, which provides more than 8 W average output power at 1040 nm wavelength and 450 fs pulse duration at 42 MHz repetition rate. In addition, the Alpha can be operated with other pump lasers around 1 µm wavelength and enough power.
Due to our modular platform, the Alpha can be adapted and optimized for various applications and is particularly suited for spectroscopic applications requiring a robust and reliable tunable radiation with low noise.

The Q-scan from Lumibird is a high resolution tunable nanosecond dye laser ranging from 200 nm to 4.5 µm. Dye cells are "plug & play" and nonlinear crystals are controlled via integrated look-up tables for quick and easy scans.

Alpes Lasers designs and manufactures single-mode mid-IR lasers with wavelength tuning of up to 40 cm−1. We offer fast tuning over a wide range of wavelengths with our QC-ET product line, and extremely wide tuning with our QC-XT lasers.

Serving North America, RPMC Lasers offers a selection of tunable lasers offering continual wavelength tuning from 210 nm to 2300 nm, with other configs spanning ≈210 nm — 10 µm, letting you choose a range that fits your needs and budget.
They feature precise, hands-free tuning with automated self-optimization and calibration, plus a browser GUI for remote control, diagnostics, and troubleshooting from any computer or smartphone.
All-in-one, air-cooled, turnkey designs are compact and easy to set up, with no bulky chiller, saving space and effort, and pump diodes guaranteed for over 2 giga-shots of lifetime.
Let RPMC help you find the right laser today!

LIGHT CONVERSION has worldwide recognition for its industrial-grade Yb-based PHAROS, CARBIDE, and FLINT femtosecond lasers.
- The PHAROS series focuses on customizability, reliability, and process-tailored output parameters, providing pulse durations down to 100 fs and pulse energies up to 5 mJ.
- The CARBIDE series features a compact industrial design with both air- and water-cooled models, the latter reaching 120 W of output power for the fundamental wavelength and 50 W for UV radiation, while sustaining excellent output stability.
- The FLINT oscillators extend the parameter range with repetition rates of up to 90 MHz.
Together, these products cover a wide range of scientific, industrial, and medical applications.

Our tunable pulsed fiber laser is a turn-key solution with tunable wavelengths in the 1-, 1.3-, 1.5-, 1.7- and 2-μm spectral region with moderate output power. Pulse durations can be between a few picoseconds to milliseconds. The center wavelength is controlled with a a user-friendly computer interface through the USB port.
Our tunable CW laser sources can perform continuous scanning over up to 100 nm tuning range at various center wavelengths from 780 nm to 3000 nm. Both manual and electrical tuning versions are available.

HÜBNER Photonics specializes in advanced tunable lasers, offering a range of products suitable for various applications in the visible to mid-infrared (MIR) spectrum. Our lasers utilize optical parametric oscillator (OPO) technology to achieve high precision and flexibility in wavelength selection.
- The C-WAVE series provides continuous wave (cw), single-frequency laser output, tunable from 450 nm to 3500 nm. These lasers deliver up to 1 W of power, catering to a broad spectrum of scientific and industrial applications.
- The Cobolt Odin series features wavelength selectability with a tuning range of up to 50 nm, operating at a pulse rate of 10 kHz, ideal for applications requiring fine control over laser parameters.
For more detailed specifications and potential applications, please visit our product pages.

Innolume provides precision-engineered tunable light sources that emit narrow-band, coherent light with continuously adjustable wavelengths across a broad spectral range.
Built around a compact gain chip in an external cavity with optical elements such as diffraction gratings or tunable filters, these sources offer precise wavelength control by dynamically adjusting optical feedback to the gain medium. With tunability of up to 160 nm across the 780 nm to 1350 nm range, they are ideally suited for applications requiring spectral flexibility and accuracy.
Designed for efficient integration, our tunable sources are available with fully customizable wavelength options to meet specific system requirements in various packaging formats:
- fiber-coupled 14-pin modules
- TO cans
- AlN submounts
- bare dies

Sacher Lasertechnik offers scientific tunable diode lasers based on Littman/Metcalf or Littrow configurations. There are also high-power versions containing broad area lasers or tapered amplifiers.
The industrial Micron laser is a mode-hop free tunable external cavity laser for emission of up to 300 mW. Versions with emission wavelengths between 638 nm and 1700 nm are available.

The tunable picosecond laser source picoEmerald FT emits ultrashort pulses with a duration of 2 ps (other durations possible). The system features a fast wavelength tuning capability (1.5 s for a random tuning step). Key features:
- wavelength 1 IR beam 1032 nm
- wavelength 2 tunable 660–1010 nm
- wavelength 3 tunable 1055–2340 nm
- temporal and spatial overlap of wavelength 1 and 2
- 2 ps pulses with 10 cm–1 spectral width
- 40 MHz or 80 MHz pulse repetition rate
- integrated time-delay between the wavelengths
- fully automated wavelength tuning
- EOM optionally integrated
The wavelength ranges can be easily expanded down to the ultraviolet/visible (via APEs SHG/THG/FHG devices) and up to the mid-infrared (via APEs DFG devices). For further specification information, see the picoEmerald FT website.
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