Single-frequency, single-knob tuning of a cw color center laser.

We describe a simple way to achieve cw single frequency laser operation with a grating as the sole tuning element. It is shown, both experimentally and theoretically, that by proper choice of cavity parameters, the competing hole burning modes can be completely suppressed. Experiments to demonstrate the theoretical calculations were carried out in a cw color center laser using Tl(0,1) centers. Linewidths of 0.01 cm(-1) were obtained and this figure can probably be much improved by proper cavity stabilization. The method can be readily extended to any compact gain medium.