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Applications of Tunable Lasers in Science and Industry
Tunable lasers have proven to be great assets for numerous applications. Various types of laser spectroscopy, and many other scientific applications benefit from the wavelength tunability, narrow linewidths, and output power provided by tunable lasers. In the military, one common application is the generation of high-power, broadband light, used for disrupting the guidance systems on heat-seeking missiles. Other applications include confocal microscopy, photo-acoustic imaging, scanning near-field optical microscopy, metrology, and more.
Understanding Tunable Lasers and Their Wavelength Flexibility
Tunable lasers, available in many forms, are basically defined as a laser with some form of an adjustable wavelength range. Some tunable lasers allow the user to adjust the wavelength among an extensive tunable range, while some only allow for a few nanometers or even less than a nanometer of adjustment. Other tunable laser options are still technically tunable, but must be specified by the customer and factory-set by the manufacturer, with no wavelength adjustments available after leaving the factory. Deciding which option works best for you largely depends on your specific application requirements.
How Optical Parametric Oscillators (OPOs) Enhance Tunable Laser Performance
Today we are discussing a similar type of tunable laser, utilizing an Optical Parametric Oscillator (OPO). An OPO is typically defined as a laser-pumped crystal with nonlinear optical properties that generate coherent light whose output can be tuned continuously over various infrared and visible wavelengths. While similar, OPOs are not typically categorized as ‘tunable lasers’ because of some key technical differences. One major difference is that the OPO resonator is based on the optical gain from parametric amplification in a nonlinear crystal rather than from stimulated emission.
Advantages of OPO Lasers for Mid- and Far- Infrared Wavelengths
One of the biggest attractions of OPOs is the ‘signal’ and ‘idler’ wavelengths. These wavelengths are determined by a phase-matching condition, and they are widely variable. This means that wavelengths in the mid-infrared and far-infrared are easily accessible with an OPO laser, broadening your application capabilities. For most lasers, achieving many of these wavelengths is difficult or impossible, which makes tunable OPO lasers all the more attractive.
Q-TUNE Series: Versatile Tunable OPO Lasers for Advanced Applications
The Q-TUNE series of tunable OPO lasers from Quantum Light Instruments offers cutting-edge solutions for advanced laser applications, including spectroscopy, photoacoustic imaging, and remote sensing. With four distinct models—Q-TUNE, Q-TUNE-IR, Q-TUNE-G, and Q-TUNE-HR—these air-cooled, user-friendly systems deliver precise wavelength tunability, high pulse energy, and reliable performance. Each model is tailored to specific research needs, ensuring flexibility and efficiency for scientists and engineers across diverse disciplines.
Q-TUNE
The Q-TUNE series delivers a versatile, air-cooled, tunable-wavelength laser with up to 8 mJ pulse energy and sub-5 ns pulses at up to 100 Hz, optimized for applications like temporally resolved spectroscopy, metrology, photoacoustic imaging, and remote sensing. Utilizing an optical parametric oscillator (OPO), it provides a wavelength range of 410–2300 nm with a linewidth below 6 cm⁻¹, extendable to 210–410 nm via an optional second harmonic generator. Additional options include air purging for UV optics, a spectrometer, and fiber-coupled OPO output, enhancing flexibility for advanced research needs.
Q-TUNE-IR
Designed for infrared spectroscopy, the Q-TUNE-IR series is a high-performance, coherent DPSS laser source delivering tunable wavelengths from 1380 to 4500 nm with a linewidth under 10 cm⁻¹ and peak pulse energy exceeding 17 mJ. Its compact design integrates all electronics, including an air-cooling system, eliminating the need for external chillers or bulky power supplies. With minimal maintenance and a pump diode lifetime surpassing 2 giga-shots, this series ensures reliable, long-term operation for researchers in SWIR and MWIR applications.
Q-TUNE-G
The Q-TUNE-G series is a cutting-edge, air-cooled, tunable laser offering automated, hands-free wavelength adjustment from 680 to 2300 nm and up to 11 mJ pulse energy in the near-IR spectrum. With a linewidth below 10 cm⁻¹ and pulse repetition rates up to 100 Hz, it’s tailored for photoacoustic imaging, non-linear spectroscopy, and similar applications. Its intuitive GUI and microprocessor-driven control simplify operation, while the water-free, air-cooled system ensures high efficiency and precision for researchers across various fields.
Q-TUNE-HR
The Q-TUNE-HR series is a high-repetition-rate OPO laser with tunable wavelengths from approximately 750 to 1800 nm and pulse rates up to 100 kHz, ideal for micromachining, Raman spectroscopy, microscopy, and remote sensing. It requires an external pump source delivering >350 μJ pulse energy and 5–7 ns FWHM pulse duration at 532 nm, supporting repetition rates of 10–100 kHz and pump power of 3.5–30 W. Optimized for 1200–1800 nm output (with an optional 750–950 nm range), it includes a bypass port for direct access to the pump laser wavelength.
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