Optically Pumped Semiconductor Lasers Superior Reliability & Performance Power. Precision. Performance. – based on semiconductor lasers

a Breakthrough For more than a decade, solid-state lasers have been replacing legacy gas lasers in application after application. Even solid-state lasers, with their reputation for reliability and performance, have had limitations as it relates to accessible wavelengths and power ranges. In the late 1990’s Coherent identified the capabilities of a novel concept for a semiconductor based platform that would overcome these limitations. Investing in fundamental developments and creating an IP position, Coherent pioneered this concept and introduced the Optically Pumped Semiconductor Laser (OPSL)....

Wavelength Scalability: Responding to the need for a broad range of wavelengths in many laser applications, OPSLs with their unique wavelength flexibility, are different from any other solid-state based laser. The fundamental near-IR output wavelength is determined by the structure of the InGaAs (semiconductor) gain chip, and can be set anywhere between 920 nm and 1154 nm, yielding frequency-doubled and tripled output between 355 nm and 577 nm. This enables a paradigm shift in the way laser applications are supported by light sources. Before OPSL technology, photonic engineers would have to choose...

Inherent Reliability: Efficient and simple, pumping of the semiconductor gain medium is another advantage over other diode-pumped laser types. Specifically, the pump wavelength merely needs to be shorter than the band gap of the semiconductor laser in OPSL, whereas a DPSS laser needs to have the pump laser matched to the specific gain medium. In an OPSL there is no need to select pump diodes based on their precise wavelength characteristics, and there is little need for a feedback temperature control loop to hold the pump wavelength constant during laser operation. Both provide benefits in overall...

Life Sciences: Most applications in life sciences are based on exciting fluorescent dyes. The different absorption peaks of the growing number of dyes drives a continuous demand for new wavelengths. OPSL’s inherent wavelength scalability provides a versatile laser source for life sciences. Higher throughput requirements achieved by higher power density on the sample or process parallelization are supported by the wavelength scalability or ‘targeting’ of OPSLs. The excellent spatial TEM00 mode quality and superior noise performance makes OPSL the choice for the precision and sensitivity required...

Lightshow and Display: Lightshow and display applications have historically been served by water-cooled Ion lasers because of their availability in high power and multiple wavelengths. Alternatively Nd:YAG and Nd:Vanadate based solid-state laser technology offered a limited selection of green and blue wavelengths but no red or yellow. OPSL is the technology that meets all requirements of lightshow and display. The wavelength scalability provides a breakthrough with more vibrant colors. High brightness and high power beam quality at all three fundamental colors (RGB) enables benchmark quality...

OPSL Technology Background The proven OPSL format is optimal for several reasons. Similar to VCSELs and unlike edge emitting laser diodes, the OPSL chip emits light perpendicular to the diode junction. This vertical emission is one of the keys to the excellent spatial mode performance of an OPSL. It also gives OPSLs the unique capability to scale to higher powers not available from conventional electrically pumped VCSELs. In an OPSL the large chip area needed for higher powers can easily be pumped optically, while in the case of electrically pumped VCSELs the extended electrodes would introduce...

OPSL Solution Portfolio With more than 20,000 OPSLs installed in a wide range of applications, the OPSL platform today encompasses a broad range of solutions. Sapphire was the world’s first commercial solid-state 488 nm laser at the beginning of the breakthrough with OPSL technology. Today, low noise single spatial mode performance is available from Sapphire at power levels up to 500 mW and various wavelengths in the visible spectrum. Sapphire now offers other wavelengths including extensions into the yellow wavelength spectrum. The Genesis family today extends the portfolio in the visible up...

Genesis-TracER 3W to 8W at 532 – Forensic ScienceGenesis-3W at 532 – Advancing OphthalmologyGenesis-Taipan 3W at 532 – Lightshow6W Today’s OPSL Products

6W to 8W Laser based on OPSL added to the Verdi G-Series – Ti:S pumping Coherent has pioneered OPSL technology, bringing to market a wide range of highly reliable lasers engineered to our customer’s technical and commercial needs.

Tomorrow’s OPSL Products Lasers have come a long way over the last nearly 50 years. Ion laser technology has succumbed to CW diode-pumped solid-state (DPSS) technology, and more recently Optically Pumped Semiconductor Lasers have replaced DPSS lasers. This new generation of lasers provide higher reliability and lower cost per watt than all earlier technologies. The OPSL design inherent benefit of wavelength scalability will continue to broaden the applications for OPSL. Access to new wavelengths will be instrumental to grow applications in the life sciences segment where new fluorescent dyes...

Coherent as Your Partner. Superior Reliability & Performance Coherent, Inc. 5100 Patrick Henry Drive Santa Clara, CA 95054 phone (800) 527-3786 (408) 764-4983 fax (408) 764-4646 e-mail [email protected] www.Coherent.com Printed in the U.S.A. MC-xxx-10-0M0110 Copyright ©2010 Coherent, Inc. To compete and succeed in today’s fast-paced research and manufacturing environments, you need a laser partner who understands your needs. A partner who can provide a wide range of technology solutions, and the support that goes with them. Since 1966, Coherent has been helping customers by providing complete...