CO2 Lasers (9.1 μm - 10.9 μm)

The PL-series of lasers include grating tuned CO₂ lasers with a step tuneable wavelength from 9.1 μm – 10.9 μm with single line powers from a few Watts (Model PL2), to 50 W (Model PL5) and even to 180 W (Model PL6), each characterised by excellent amplitude and frequency stability for the most technically challenging tasks.

The PL2 laser lends itself to flexible tailoring to scientific applications. For example, if used with our 184T pump station, the laser head can be filled with the desired isotopic gas mix which gives the user access to a range of alternative wavelengths.

The higher power PL-series lasers can be used to optically pump polar gases (for example methanol, formic acid, etc) to create Far-Infrared (FIR) laser emission. The FIR/TeraHertz region (40 μm – 1.2 mm, or 7.5 THz – 0.25THz) can be used for temperature measurement of fusion reactor plasma. There are also many applications in homeland security and scanning, scattering density measurements, radar modelling, etc.

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The PL2-M has a maximum rated power of 10 W and the PL2-S has a maximum rated power of 1 W on the strongest lines, and more than 60 lines are available. The laser is operated in sealed-off mode with initial gas lifetime guarantee of 12 months. A vacuum valve is fitted to allow user replenishment, with standard or isotopic gas mixtures for ultimate flexibility and ease of operation at lowest cost. Operation is via a hand held control console for laser ON/OFF, discharge current (with liquid crystal display) and piezo voltage.

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As with the PL2-M, the PL3 gas is user replenishable. By changing the cavity optics and gas mixture, the PL3 can be converted into a tunable CO₂ (from CO laser) laser covering the 9.1 μm to 10.9 μm region. Typical single line powers are 20 W for CO₂. The PL3 is driven by the compact, LPS-D dual output switch mode power supply.

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The PL5 is a flowing gas CO₂ laser producing single line powers in excess of 50 W and operating on more than 80 individual lines. The cavity optics consist of two ZnSe Brewster windows, a gold coated diffraction grating and a ZnSe output coupler. The laser head is supplied with all necessary vacuum couplings, valves and a capsule gauge to enable flow operation. A suitable vacuum pump is available to complete the system.

For CW and chopped output operation, the LPS-5 power supply is available. Q-Switched operation of the PL5 can be achieved with the PL5-QS option. This is a six sided polygon scanning mirror assembly which mounts in the intercavity space between the grating and rear Brewster window. Depending on laser operating conditions, pulses of typically 2 kW peak power and pulse widths of 200 ns are achieved at frequencies up to 1kHz.

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The highest power tuneable CO₂ laser currently available is the model PL6, offering single line power up to 180 W and more than 90 lines across 9.1 μm to 10.9 μm. The flowing gas laser head is a single U-folded design with twin discharge tubes. The laser resonator is passively stabilised with a 5 bar invar support frame which is decoupled from the laser base by orthogonal rose bearings.

Cavity optics comprise of a gold coated diffraction grating and piezo-mounted output coupler. Within the cavity, two high reflectivity folding mirrors reflect the beam internally and two ZnSe Brewster windows are used to seal the discharge tubes. The PL6 is driven by the LPS2000 dual output power supply.

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