Single-mode operation of a long-pulse flashlamp pumped dye laser

We describe the achievement of single-mode operation of a flashlamp pumped long-pulse, /spl sim/700 ns dye laser, with output energy of about 350 mJ using a linear optical cavity with a "twisted mode" configuration. Measurements indicate that the laser frequency chirps by about 40 MHz over the entire pulse. Homodyne measurements indicate that the instantaneous bandwidth is close to the transform limit. This represents a significant advance in dye laser performance.>