Focus on lasers and optics
DOI: 10.1063/1.2405538
The descriptions of the new products listed in this section are based on information supplied to us by the manufacturers. Physics Today can assume no responsibility for their accuracy. For more information about a particular product, visit the website at the end of the product description.
Yellow DPSS laser
Melles Griot has introduced a new member of its 85 YCA series of diode-pumped solid-state lasers. The new device has an output power of 25 mW at 561 nm, more than is usually available from air-cooled krypton or argon ion lasers. The additional power can be used to compensate for fiber-coupling losses or optical throughput inefficiencies associated with scanning and imaging devices. The new laser has a single-frequency output, exhibits less than 3% peak-to-peak noise, and has a linearly polarized beam that’s nearly circular, with an aspect ratio of less than 1.1 : 1. It is an excellent choice for fluorescence-induced imaging. Lasers from the new 85 YCA series are well suited for confocal laser-scanning microscopy and for exciting Rhodamine, ROX, and Alexa Fluor dyes. The beam diameter and divergence of the DPSS lasers closely match those of comparable ion lasers. Melles Griot Laser Group, 2051 Palomar Airport Road, 200, Carlsbad, CA 92011, http://www.mellesgriot.com
Pulsed fiber laser
Lumics GmbH has announced the LU1060F015, a short-pulse ytterbium-fiber laser in master-oscillator power-amplifier configuration. The laser emits at a 1064-nm wavelength from a single-mode fiber specified at a standard length of 0.7 m. The LU1060F015 has a very high beam quality and provides an average output power of 150 mW. The pulse energy is 30 µJ at 5 kHz repetition rate and 100 ns pulse width. The rep rate is adjustable from 5 kHz to 100 kHz, the pulse width selectable from 50 ns to 250 ns. All parameters can be controlled through a USB computer interface. Fiber lasers offer many advantages over conventional laser technology, including high beam quality, a limited number of components for high reliability and low maintenance, and a compact size that allows easy integration into existing equipment. Lumics GmbH, Carl-Scheele-Strasse 16, 12489 Berlin, Germany, http://www.lumics.com
Laser ablation system
The new GeoLasPro from Coherent is a self-contained laser ablation system for sample introduction in high-resolution laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP MS). The system integrates the COMPexPro 193-nm ablation laser with shaping optics and a sample chamber. The 193-nm sampling speed can be varied from 1 Hz to 100 Hz. The LA-ICP MS sample observation microscope is made co-linear with the laser beam–delivery optics through the use of an all-mirror, chromatic-aberration-free microscope objective that can operate at high laser power without the risk of coating damage. The beam-delivery optics can achieve a homogenized spot with a diameter as small as 5 µm, which is ideal for sampling small fluid inclusions. Coherent Incorporated, 5100 Patrick Henry Drive, Santa Clara, CA 95054, http://www.coherentinc.com
Laser wafer dicing system
J P Sercel Associates has developed the IX-300 ChromaDice system, a UV diode-pumped solid-state laser for dicing gallium arsenide and gallium phosphide wafers. The system incorporates the company’s ProtectoLED technology, which is based on a water-soluble coating that prevents contamination of the wafer during the dry-etch process. The IX-300 also includes a process for containing and removing toxic byproducts of the laser dicing of GaAs and GaP wafers. The new ChromaDice system operates at cut rates of up to 150 mm/s on GaAs wafers with kerf widths typically as low as 2.5 µm and can process wafers up to 6 inches in diameter. The UV DPSS laser comes with a choice of 355- or 266-nm wavelengths. The IX-300 ChromaDice provides a high-volume, high-duty-cycle format compared with the company’s earlier smaller-footprint, lower-duty-cycle IX-200. J P Sercel Associates, 17D Clinton Drive, Hollis, NH 03049, http://www.jpsalaser.com
Fiber-coupled laser diode system
RPMC Lasers is offering the Triad Systems Engineering ILS-7000 series of fiber-coupled laser diode systems with optical output powers ranging from 1 W up to 1000 W. The package, which includes laser, laser driver, thermoelectric cooler, and controls, offers solutions in CW and pulsed-laser applications. Laser diodes are offered in the wavelength range from 632 nm up to 1850 nm, although higher powers may not be available with certain wavelengths. Product highlights include powers of 1 W from the fiber at 680 nm, 200 W from a 100-µm-core fiber at 915 nm and 975 nm, and up to 100 W from a 400-µm-core fiber at 808 nm, 915 nm, 940 nm, and 980 nm. Available options are a visible aiming beam, internal laser modulation of 1–15 kHz with a 50% duty cycle, external modulation signal frequency up to 15 kHz, external analog signal for laser power adjustment, and remote programming and monitoring. RPMC Lasers, 203 Joseph Street, O’Fallon, MO 63366, http://www.rpmclasers.com
Laser-based imaging system
The ImageXpress Ultra imaging system from Molecular Devices Corp is a true point-scanning confocal instrument for automated acquisition and analysis of images for high-throughput cell-based screening. The system features four solid-state lasers that provide up to four simultaneous excitation wavelengths (405 nm, 488 nm, 532 nm, and 635 nm), a galvanometer for x scanning, and a stage for y scanning. A confocal microscope is designed for scanning standard multi-well plates or slides of live cell or fixed samples. Up to five main beam splitters and three sets of filter cubes allow flexible and rapid configuration of the ImageXpress Ultra, which can be integrated with robotics for increased throughput. The imaging system incorporates MetaXpress software and MDCStore integrated database. Molecular Devices Corporation, 1311 Orleans Drive, Sunnyvale, CA 94089-1136, http://www.moleculardevices.com
Laser modules
Photonic Products has developed compact laser modules that measure just 29 mm in length with a diameter of only 8 mm. They generate a uniform intensity distribution line or cross at a visible wavelength of either 650 nm or 635 nm. They produce output powers of 0.9 mW or 4 mW with a power stability of better than 5%. Operating voltage is from 3 to 6 V DC at a current of typically 30 mA (0.9 mW) or 40 mA (4 mW). The modules produce either a 58° or 88° full-angle line or a 70° full-angle cross all focused by the factory at 100 cm. The focus can be set at other distances on request. The laser modules, ideal for applications where space is at a premium—including handheld instrumentation, targeting, alignment, and machine vision—have static, surge, and reverse-polarity circuit protection. Photonic Products USA, 16168 Beach Boulevard, Suite 262, Huntington Beach, CA 92647, http://www.photonic-products.com
Laser beam profiler
Thorlabs’ BP100 USB2.0 beam-profiler series can analyze the power distribution of a laser beam by scanning with narrow slits in the x and y directions and then performing an analysis without the need for attenuators or lenses. The instruments can be used with continuous or pulsed laser beams and feature a dynamic range of 72 dB. The models BP104-VIS and BP109-VIS cover the spectral range of 400–1100 nm; the BP104-IR and BP109-IR cover the 700- to 1800-nm range. The instruments provide a beam diameter range of 10 µm–4 mm (BP104) or 20 µm–9 mm (BP109). All beam parameters such as diameter, ellipticity, location, centroid, 3D-profile, and power are calculated from the resulting power distributions. Those parameters allow the user to modify and shape a laser’s output, especially its focusing ability. A standalone measurement head incorporates a USB 2.0 graphical interface. Thorlabs Inc, 435 Route 206 North, Newton, NJ 07860, http://www.thorlabs.com
Femtosecond fiber lasers
Precision Photonics has announced fiber lasers with pulse durations of less than 100 fs, greater than 10 kW peak output power, a 40 MHz repetition rate, and a low timing jitter of less than 150 fs (100 Hz to 10 MHz). The lasers emit at a central wavelength of 1560 nm and feature an all-fiber-integrated design composed of robust telecommunication components and a modern dispersion management scheme. The instruments are ideal for such applications as nonlinear optics, quantum communications, optical sampling, and optical-parametric-oscillator pumping. Available options include additional output at 780 nm, supercontinuum generation from 1220 nm to 1800 nm, synchronization to external clocks, and a lower-cost version with 6 mW of output power and a 250-fs pulse duration. Precision Photonics, 3180 Sterling Circle, Boulder, CO 80301, http://www.precisionphotonics.com
Spectral shaping filter
Alpine Research Optics has introduced a new spectral shaping filter that enables pulses as short as 5 fs to be produced from titanium:sapphire ultrafast amplifiers. This intracavity optic is a dielectric-coated filter with a spectral transmission curve designed to compensate for the problem of spectral narrowing due to gain flattening. Both the center wavelength and the magnitude of the single-pass correction can be adjusted with the new filter. Specifically, varying the angle of incidence at which the optic is mounted causes a shift in the center wavelength so that the filter’s performance can be matched to the skewed spectral gain curve of chirped amplifiers. Also, since its transmission maximum can be increased or decreased, the same filter can be used in both a multipass- or regenerative-type amplifier. The optic is available in 1- and 2-inch o.d. Alpine Research Optics, 6810 Winchester Circle, Boulder, CO 80301, http://www.arocorp.com
New literature
Ophir Optronics has published its new 2006 laser measurement instrumentation catalog with specifications on beam analyzer, wavelength, and temporal profiling systems. Additions to this catalog include information on the company’s line of new photodiode, thermal, and pyroelectric detector heads. Ophir Optronics Inc, 260-A Fordham Road, Wilmington, MA 01887, http://www.ophiropt.com
Resolve Optics has issued a new corporate capabilities brochure that describes the company’s expertise in the design and production of innovative lens adapters, optical modules, high-resolution compact zoom lenses, and non-Browning, UV, and IR lenses. Resolve Optics Ltd, Asheridge Road, Chesham, Bucks HP5 2PT, UK, http://www.resolveoptics.com
Alfa Aesar, a Johnson Matthey Company, has published its 2006–07 All-in-one Research Chemicals, Metals, and Materials catalog. The volume has a comprehensive product listing of more than 27 000 items and can serve as a reliable technical resource. Alfa Aesar, 26 Parkridge Road, Ward Hill, MA 01835, http://www.alfa.com
