The use and analysis of solid Fabry-Perot etalons for interferometry and laser control are discussed and supported with experimental data. Low angle scattering is found to be an important factor influencing finesse and peak transmission. Thermal tuning sensitivity and wedge-angle control with thermal gradients are analyzed and illustrated. Control of laser oscillations using a solid-state etalon as a laser cavity end mirror is discussed. The use of the solid etalon as an optical cavity coupler is applied to the problem. of sideband energy removal from an internally modulated laser
