DPSS LaserDiode-pumped solid-state (DPSS) lasers are an exciting new tool for OEM applications that combines the beam quality of a gas laser and the small size and efficiency of a diode laser with single-line output in the blue (473nm), green (532nm), red (671nm) or infrared (1064nm).
Our DPSS lasers start with a standard diode laser operating at 808nm (shown in the picture below). The output of this laser is focused into a small chip of neodymium-doped YAG or vanadate (the lasing medium) producing laser output at 946nm or 1064nm. One face of the crystal is coated to transmit the pump radiation but reflect the infrared laser radiation generated by the crystal. Visible output is obtained by placing a nonlinear doubling crystal inside the laser cavity in close proximity to the laser medium. The output side of this crystal is coated to reflect the infrared fundamental laser frequency (completing the laser cavity) and to transmit the second harmonic generated by the doubling crystal. Finally, Beam-conditioning optics collimates the output and filter out any remaining pump-laser or infrared-radiation. The overall temperature of the laser cavity and the temperature of the semiconductor diode pump are tightly controlled by thermoelectric coolers (TEC). The lower-power DPSS lasers are convection cooled. Higher-power systems include integral forced-air cooling.
In recent years, diode-pumped solid-state (DPSS) lasers have become an attractive alternative to air-cooled argon ion lasers and green helium neon (HeNe) lasers in many applications. DPSS lasers, which, depending upon the configuration, produce output in the infrared (1064nm) or green (532 nm), combine high output power with long operating life. They exhibit excellent output stability, exceptional mode purity, and extremely low power consumption, and are ideal for both laboratory and OEM applications.
