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. For all new products submissions, please send to [email protected].
Flexible multiple-wavelength laser engine
The latest member of Toptica’s iChrome multilaser engine family, the compact iChrome FLE, addresses the need for multiple-wavelength lasers in advanced biophotonics procedures, such as high-throughput screening. It is suitable for most microscopy techniques, such as confocal, superresolution, light-sheet, stochastic optical reconstruction, fluorescence recovery after photobleaching, and fluorescence resonance energy transfer. The iChrome FLE’s extended platform can be configured with up to seven laser lines in the range of 405–647 nm and with one or two fiber outputs. Toptica’s proprietary frequency-doubled diode-laser technology allows fast, direct modulation to the 532, 561, and 594 nm laser lines and is completely zero-emission when the laser is turned off. Previously, that capability was only available in a CW diode-pumped solid-state laser source combined with an acousto-optic modulator. Toptica Photonics Inc, 5847 County Rd 41, Farmington, NY 14425, www.toptica.com
Piezo nanopositioning motion controller
Physik Instrumente (PI) now offers an EtherCat-compatible version of its E-727 digital piezo-controller family. It is suitable for use in piezo-based nanopositioning and scanning systems, optics and photonics, and semiconductor manufacturing. The controller delivers high bandwidth, linearity, and nanometer accuracy. It easily integrates into precision automation systems via EtherCat connectivity and can be operated as an “intelligent driver” for two- or three-axis piezo-based nanopositioning systems. Intelligent servo algorithms minimize settling times and allow repeatability into the subnanometer range. Advanced features include an integrated data recorder and subordinate, programmable drift compensation. PI also offers EtherCat motion controllers manufactured by ACS Motion for long-travel precision positioning stages. Physik Instrumente LP, 16 Albert St, Auburn, MA 01501, www.pi-usa.us
Pulsed lasers for LIBS and photoacoustics
Cobolt AB, a part of Hübner Photonics, has introduced its ultracompact Cobolt Tor XS laser. Intended for photoacoustic microscopy applications and for integration into handheld or portable instruments for laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), the high-performance Q-switched laser features wavelengths of 1064 nm and 532 nm, and pulse energies of 100 μJ/pulse and 50 μJ/pulse, respectively. Cobolt claims that for its size, the Tor XS provides a unique combination of kilohertz repetition rates, short pulse lengths less than 3 ns, and high pulse-to-pulse stability. The emission, which is generated in a TEM00 beam, can be externally triggered from single pulses at repetition rates up to 1 kHz. According to Cobolt, the lasers provide a high level of immunity to varying environmental conditions: They can withstand multiple 60 G mechanical shocks without degraded performance and exposure to temperatures higher than 100 °C. Cobolt Inc, 2635 N First St, Ste 228, San Jose, CA 95134, www.coboltlasers.com
Laser safety interlock shutters
Electro-Optical Products has launched new models of its economical laser and x-ray safety interlock shutters, the blades of which block a laser beam when the power is turned off. The small-size SH-66 laser shutter or low-frequency pulse picker can block a high-power laser beam up to 10 W. The low-vibration electromechanical device consists of a stepping motor with a mirror that smoothly turns from 0° to 45° to deflect a laser beam. The device produces no clicking or knocking noise, and no shock or vibrations are created when the mirror changes position. The SH-66 is offered in several variations, some with heat sinks, and in standard, custom, and OEM models. Aluminum mirrors with enhanced reflectivity are standard, and gold-, silver-, and dielectric-coated mirrors are optional. The shutter can also be used as a pulse picker for up to 20 Hz with a response time of 15 ms. Electro-Optical Products Corp, 62-40 Forest Ave, 2nd Fl, Ridgewood, NY 11385, www.eopc.com
Simplified fluorescence imaging software
PicoQuant and Zeiss have released a plug-in for Zeiss’s ZEN imaging software (blue edition). The plug-in allows a Zeiss laser scanning microscope and an upgrade kit from PicoQuant to capture fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy data. Multidimensional imaging experiments such as z-stacks and time-lapse series can now be performed more simply, with FLIM acquisition measurements defined and started in the familiar ZEN imaging software environment. Time-resolved data are automatically acquired using the motorized laser combining unit and PicoQuant’s SymPhoTime 64 software. After acquisition, the results can be analyzed with the easy-to-use SymPhoTime tools. PicoQuant, Rudower Chaussee 29, 12489 Berlin, Germany, www.picoquant.com
Laser-grade aspheric lenses
Edmund Optics has announced a line of lenses with a λ/40 rms aspheric surface tolerance, which makes them suitable for high-precision laser-focusing applications. The aberration-free Techspec lenses are polished with a magnetorheological finishing, a process that selectively removes material in a highly repeatable and controlled manner. That enables diffraction-limited performance and a guaranteed exceptional Strehl ratio greater than 0.8 at the wavelengths of the neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet lasers. According to the company, the lenses can maximize throughput with high-performance laser line V-coatings for less than 0.25% reflection at the laser wavelengths. The aspheres feature fused silica substrates and are available in standard imperial sizes with f/2 designs. Edmund Optics Inc, 101 E Gloucester Pike, Barrington, NJ 08007, www.edmundoptics.com
DFB laser diode module
OSI Laser Diode has developed a 1650 nm distributed-feedback (DFB) laser diode module for optical test equipment applications in which high-peak-pulsed optical power is required. The SCW 1731F-D40R’s stabilized wavelength is unaffected by operational pulse width, making it suitable for use as an optical spectrum analyzer or in optical time-domain reflectometry (OTDR). The module also features a broader spectrum than is available in traditional DFB lasers and exhibits less noise in OTDR and other similar applications, according to the company. The new product complies with the Restriction of Hazardous Substances directive. It is optically coupled to a single-mode fiber pigtail and includes a thermoelectric cooler and an electrically isolated temperature-sensing thermistor. OSI Laser Diode Inc, 4 Olsen Ave, Edison, NJ 08820, www.laserdiode.com
Compact ultrafast lasers
Coherent has designed its Axon family of compact femtosecond lasers to be less expensive and complex and to address demanding applications, such as multiphoton microscopy, material nanoprocessing, two-photon polymerization, terahertz spectroscopy, and semiconductor and thin-film metrology. The first two models of the air-cooled lasers have fixed output wavelengths of 920 nm and 1064 nm; future models will offer additional wavelengths. The Axon lasers feature 1 W of average power with integrated, software-controlled group-velocity-dispersion precompensation. The output features a pulse width of less than 150 fs and an 80 MHz pulse repetition rate. The 920 nm model is designed for green fluorescent protein and related imaging probes and Ca2+ indicators. The 1064 nm version matches well with red-shifted Ca2+ indicators and red fluorescent proteins. Coherent Inc, 5100 Patrick Henry Dr, Santa Clara, CA 95054, www.coherent.com
