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.Lawrence G. Rubin
May 2006, page 65
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 con_1figuration.
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 100 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, 20 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 multiwell 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 con_1figuration
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
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