June 25, 2009--Optical component, module and subsystem maker Oclaro Inc. (San Jose, CA) says 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. In addition, the company announced several other offerings including new single emitter-based modules, high-power lasers for Raman spectroscopy, and--in association with Laserline, a high-beam-quality direct-diode laser system.
"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.
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. Oclaro's 15xx and 14xx nm laser diode bar products promise up to 30W continuous wave (CW) output power and are offered with a micro-channel or a passive Cu cooler configuration.
Oclaro made the announcement in conjunction with last week's Laser World of Photonics trade event in Munich, Germany. There, the company 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.
"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.
In addition, Oclaro 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 where longer wavelengths can help reduce the fluorescence background of the spectra.
Finally, Oclaro and laser system maker Laserline jointly demonstrated what they call one of the industry's highest-beam-quality 4kW direct-diode laser systems. The 4kW system has a beam parameter product (BPP) of just 30mm x mrad, and promises a small spot size along with unprecedented performance for a direct-diode system "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.
For more information see Oclaro's website.
Posted by Barbara G. Goode, [email protected], for Laser Focus World.