Edinburgh, Scotland, October 28, 2003. PicoQuant has released a new high power 375nm picosecond pulsed diode laser. The company manufactures picosecond diode lasers, covering a rapidly growing section of the time-resolved fluorescence research market. With pulse durations as short as 50ps, the pulsed diode lasers match the time resolution of mainstream detectors, yet at a price much lower than that of commonly used mode locked lasers.
As with the red and infrared range, the new pulsed diode laser sources offer the benefits of compact and affordable integrated turn-key systems together with high power and the high repetition rates desired for Time-Correlated Single Photon Counting (TCSPC). These features open the door for entirely new routine applications beyond the research lab in bio analysis, biochemistry, genetics, optical storage, semiconductor characterization and quality control. Important applications include Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging (FLIM), Fluorescence Energy Transfer measurements (FRET) as well as single molecule spectroscopy and detection.
The laser system consists of a dedicated driver PDL 800-B (single channel) or PDL 808 Sepia (multi channel) and interchangeable laser heads. Laser heads are available from 375-440nm and 635-1500nm with collimator optics that can optionally be fitted with optical fiber. The internal pulse clock of the driver run at maximum frequency 40MHz and can be divided by 2, 4, 8 and 16. Alternatively the laser pulses can be triggered through an external sync input, the trigger frequency can then be single shot - 40MHz. A synchronization output allows the laser driver to trigger other devices such as the TimeHarp-series TCSPC cards.
Photonic Solutions are the distributors in the UK for the PicoQuant range of products. As well as PicoQuant, Photonic Solutions are the distributor for a variety of other companies offering a range of lasers and laser systems, detectors and spectroscopy equipment.
Laser Focus World