An external-cavity laser diode that performs static wavelength scanning eliminates problems such as repeatability and tuning rate that arise due to mechanical movements induced in the external cavity of conventional systems, because it requires no mechanical elements. Experiments reveal that the scanning range and tuning rate are 1.1 nm and 1 kHz, respectively. (C) 2010 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers. [DOI: 10.1117/1.3306642]