Options. To meet the wide range of user requirements for dye lasers,
manufacturers offer many options beyond the simple choice of dye and
pump source. Major options are listed below, some of which may be
standard features on certain models:

• Active stabilization of output frequency or power
• Amplifiers for pulsed lasers
• Automatic frequency scanning across a range of wavelengths
• Beam delivery systems for special requirements (e.g., medical
  treatment)
• Cavity dumpers
• Cavity-extending optics to match length of a dye laser cavity to that
  of a synchronously modelocked pump laser
• Computer interfaces and controls
• Difference-frequency mixing to generate tunable infrared light by
  mixing tunable dye output with output of a fixed-frequency laser
• Dual-dye operation to allow simultaneous operation at two
  wavelengths for certain applications
• Dye circulators
• Dye coolers (increase lifetimes of certain dyes by reducing operating
  temperature)
• Dye filters to reduce scattering by removing particles larger than the
  wavelength of light
• Etalons, to narrow spectral bandwidth
• Frequency-summing accessories to generate short wavelengths by
  adding the frequency of a tunable dye laser to that of a fixedfrequency
  laser
• Harmonic generators to produce ultraviolet output from visible dyes
• Modelockers
• Optical output monitors
• Optics with broad spectral range to reduce the need for interchange
  of optics while tuning wavelength
• Polarizing optics
• Pulse compression optics for generating femtosecond pulses
• Raman shifters
• Titanium-sapphire operation of the laser, by substituting Tisapphire
  crystal for the dye solution to generate tunable nearinfrared light
  (for pumping with ion or doubled neodymium lasers)
• Unstable resonator optics (for pulsed lasers)
• Wavelength-tuning optics (standard on many models), including
  tunable birefringent filter, tuning wedges, prisms, and gratings

Special Notes. The relative merits of different pump sources for pulsed
dye lasers have been argued at great length, generally by companies
which manufacture dye lasers and/or pump sources. However,
each type appears to have earned its own niche in the complex
market. Some users may find that particular requirements, such as
repetition rate, pulse energy, pricing limits, or wavelength range,
may dictate selection of one type. Others may find that two or more
types are viable options.

Pricing. Pricing of dye lasers can be confusing because of the many
configurations available. Flashlamp-pumped dye lasers are sold with
internal pump lamps, and a few laser-pumped dye lasers are sold as
systems incorporating pump lasers. However, the attractively low
prices of some sophisticated dye lasers may only indicate that the
expensive pump lasers are sold separately. Note also that standard
optical configurations vary widely; some models come complete with
highly sophisticated optics, while others come equipped with mirrors
suitable only for broadband operation.

Some manufacturers have become reluctant to publish prices,
particularly for continuous-wave pumped dye lasers. The following
prices are estimates for the typical range of lasers offered in 1990,
based on offerings for which prices have been quoted:

• Flashlamp-pumped dye: $6000 to $190,000
• Pulsed-laser pumped (without pump laser): circa $2000 to $70,000
• Continuous-wave pumped (without pump laser): $10,000 and up,
  depending on options

Suppliers. The dye laser market is quite competitive, although no
company offers all types, and most specialize in one or two types.
Virtually all types are available from two or more manufacturers.
Competition is most intense in lasers pumped by pulsed lasers (except
for lasers designed specifically for copper vapor pumping, a limited
market). Some companies entered the dye market after developing a
pump laser often.used with dye lasers. Fewer companies supply
continuous-wave-pumped and flashlamp-pumped dye lasers. A few
specialized dye laser systems are at this writing available from only one
company.

Many companies have been manufacturing dye lasers for many
years, but new suppliers do appear, and existing ones sometimes
change. Users would be wise to consult a current industry directory to
check the list of suppliers.

There are enough suppliers to make pricing competitive for most
dye lasers for scientific applications. However, some specialized
markets have little competition, notably dye lasers for medical
treatment.

Options. To meet the wide range of user requirements for dye lasers,
manufacturers offer many options beyond the simple choice of dye and
pump source. Major options are listed below, some of which may be
standard features on certain models:

• Active stabilization of output frequency or power
• Amplifiers for pulsed lasers
• Automatic frequency scanning across a range of wavelengths
• Beam delivery systems for special requirements (e.g., medical
  treatment)
• Cavity dumpers
• Cavity-extending optics to match length of a dye laser cavity to that
  of a synchronously modelocked pump laser
• Computer interfaces and controls
• Difference-frequency mixing to generate tunable infrared light by
  mixing tunable dye output with output of a fixed-frequency laser
• Dual-dye operation to allow simultaneous operation at two
  wavelengths for certain applications
• Dye circulators
• Dye coolers (increase lifetimes of certain dyes by reducing operating
  temperature)
• Dye filters to reduce scattering by removing particles larger than the
  wavelength of light
• Etalons, to narrow spectral bandwidth
• Frequency-summing accessories to generate short wavelengths by
  adding the frequency of a tunable...