Experimental realization of monolithic diffractive broad-area polymeric waveguide dye lasers

We discuss the first experimental realization of a polymeric waveguide dye laser with intracavity diffractive elements. Due to a special technology used the diffractive phase structures are directly integrated into the waveguide layer. Thus, there is no need for additional external optics or extensive alignment effort. The elements are used to support a Gaussian-like fundamental mode while at the same time suppress the undesired higher order transverse laser modes. The technology has the potential to be used also for improving the beam quality of semiconductor broad area lasers.