News

18 June 2009

 

Oclaro enters eye-safe laser diode market

At this week’s LASER World of Photonics 2009 event in Munich, Germany (16-18 June), optical component, module and subsystem maker Oclaro Inc of San Jose, CA, USA announced that it has entered the eye-safe wavelength market with long-wavelength laser diode single-emitter and bar products emitting at about 1.5µm, targeting applications in defense, material processing and medical markets.

Eye-safe standards are important in environments where there is a risk of exposure to laser light. Eye-safe lasers emit light at wavelengths above 14xx nm, as light in this range is largely absorbed by the cornea before reaching the more sensitive retina, which can be seriously damaged by just micro-seconds of exposure to high-power light at shorter wavelengths.

15xx and 14xx nm laser diode bar products deliver up to 30W continuous wave (CW) output power and are offered with a micro-channel or a passive Cu cooler configuration. The bars come with a fill factor of 30% and an emitter pitch of 500µm, suiting fiber-coupled and pump laser applications.

The single-emitter laser diodes emit 2W output power at 1470nm from a 90µm stripe and are available on a C-mount or in a 105µm fiber-coupled configuration. The fiber-coupled version is built on the proven Oclaro platform for single-emitter fiber-laser pump modules, enabling high-volume, scalable, and cost-effective manufacturing.

“The extension of our high-performance laser diode bar and single-emitter laser diodes into the long-wavelength range is an important step for Oclaro, addressing increased demand for eye-safe lasers, particularly in defense and medical markets,” says product marketing director Karlheinz Gulden. “We have been able to deliver the high-power and high-reliability qualities with which Oclaro is associated at wavelengths that enhance eye safety, broadening the market appeal of our high-power laser diode portfolio,” he adds.

Oclaro expands single-emitter-based pump module portfolio

Oclaro also debuted new products from its expanded portfolio of single-emitter-based modules offering higher powers, new fiber core options and extended wavelength capabilities, targeted at fiber, direct-diode, and Nd:YAG laser systems for industrial, printing, medical, and defense markets.

The latest high-power multimode pump products include:

• The 25W fiber-laser pump module with 105µm, 0.15NA fiber, based on a new hermetically sealed, compact module platform.

• A multi-emitter prototype delivering 40W and more at 9xx nm from a 105µm, 0.15NA fiber, satisfying the increased power requirements of fiber-laser and direct system manufacturers.

• Modules delivering up to 30W at 808nm from 105µm- and 200µm-core fibers for Nd:YAG pumping and medical applications.

• 2W 105µm fiber modules at 793nm and 1470nm for eye-safe thulium fiber and direct-diode lasers for medical and defence applications.

• High-brightness multimode modules with 40µm or 50µm fiber, aimed at the computer-to-plate (CTP) pre-press printing market, delivering up to 2W at 830nm and up to 3W at 940nm.

“Combining our latest multimode laser diodes with our single- and multi-chip modules allows us to seamlessly upgrade to higher pump powers for our fiber-laser customers, and to offer different wavelengths, for applications such as Nd:YAG pumping and CTP printing,” says product line manager Dominik Jaeggi. “We are developing scalable, flexible products that meet customer and application requirements, and will drive our growing presence in the high-power laser diode market,” he adds.

Oclaro launches 1064nm New Focus high-power laser for Raman spectroscopy

Oclaro has introduced a 1064nm capability to its portfolio of New Focus high-power SWL-7500 single-wavelength lasers for Raman spectroscopy.

The 1064nm variant of the SWL-7521 is designed to meet demand from users undertaking Raman spectroscopy, where longer wavelengths can help reduce the fluorescence background of the spectra. Oclaro says that its New Focus high-power laser portfolio offers narrow linewidth and long coherence length, which are crucial for industrial spectroscopic applications such as quality control, chemical analysis, and security.

The high-power laser is enabled by the gallium arsenide chips manufactured at the firm’s plant in Zurich, Switzerland. The chip design also uses the same technology as Oclaro's terrestrial and submarine telecom amplifier and pump portfolios, including the 750mW ultra-high-power pump and the OceanBright submarine pump.

Oclaro and Laserline demo beam quality

At LASER World of Photonics, Oclaro and laser system maker Laserline are jointly unveiling what is claimed to be one of the industry's highest-beam-quality 4kW direct-diode laser systems, with product demonstrations on both the Oclaro and Laserline booths.

The 4kW system has a beam parameter product (BPP) of just 30mm x mrad, delivering a small spot size and unprecedented performance for a direct-diode system, it is claimed. The beam quality is enabled by Oclaro's 80W very high brightness (VHB) bar, allowing direct-diode systems to compete with solid-state and CO2 laser systems on applications such as keyhole welding and sheet metal cutting.

“We have worked very closely with the Oclaro high-power laser team,” says Laserline's managing director & co-founder Volker Krause. “The VHB bar is excellently tailored to our application and Oclaro has the skills and the expertise to support the complex design process to capitalize on high powers and high efficiency from such small footprints,” he adds.

The 80W VHB bar offers up to four times the brightness of a typical 10mm bar and measures just 3.2mm in width. It supports direct industrial laser systems and enables fiber coupling without expensive beam transformation optics by delivering high output power and a narrow emitting area.

“Laserline consistently challenge us to deliver the highest-quality products that enable them to advance their laser systems and compete in new, high-value markets,” says senior product line manager Christian Naumer. “Having played a key role in achieving this breakthrough level of beam quality, we continue to innovate to enable even higher performing products,” he adds.

Search: Oclaro New Focus Eye-safe laser diode

Visit: www.oclaro.com

Visit: www.newfocus.com