A laser system including a controller for monitoring and controlling various functions of a laser assembly. The laser controller may include a wavelength tuning circuit for adjusting and locking the wavelength of the external cavity. To perform various monitoring and control functions, the controller may include circuitry for monitoring various parameters associated with operation of the laser, such as temperature indicating signals and/or signals from light detectors such as photodiodes.
A method for monitoring changes in a gap which corresponds to changes in a particular environmental parameter using a tunable laser and interferometer at high frequency is disclosed. The laser light provided to the interferometer is swept through a small range of wavelengths. Light modulated by the interferometer is detected and a non-sinusoidal light intensity output curve is created, a reference point on the curve identified and subsequent sweep of the laser performed. The difference in time, wavelength, or frequency at the occurrence of the reference point between the two sweeps allows for measuring the relative changes in the gap and, as a result, the change in the environmental parameter.
