Oxxius DPSS lasers for Brillouin spectroscopy and imaging

Brillouin spectroscopy and the microscopy associated with it is an innovative imaging method that opens up new perspectives on materials in the field of non-destructive analysis, particularly in cell biology. Many processes in medical research appear to be accompanied or triggered not only by biochemical processes but also by changes in the mechanical environment of cells or their components. Brillouin microscopy, as an optical elastographic method, can elucidate precisely these changes.

As with Raman spectroscopy, a laser is used as the light source, whose narrow-band emission is scattered inelastically. The requirements for a sufficient signal from this effect are even more stringent than for Raman spectroscopy. Since the recordings currently still take a very long time, the wavelength and output power must be very stable over long periods of time. In addition, a particularly narrow line width (10 MHz) and sufficient suppression of side peaks (60 dB) are required for a clear signal.

Oxxius has developed a unique monolithic resonator technology, protected by more than ten patents, which distinguishes these DPSS lasers from other products on the market:

• High purity spectrum: The resonator design ensures a spectrum free of harmful side peaks with an SMSR of over 110 dB over a range of 100 GHz around the main peak.
• Extremely stable single-frequency operation: the lasers feature wavelength stability within 1 pm, ensuring consistent performance even from one cold start to the next.
• Exceptional robustness: the lasers can withstand large thermal and mechanical fluctuations and have no moving parts or adhesives.
• An extremely narrow linewidth below 1 MHz, sufficient to accurately measure the linewidth of Brillouin peaks
• A TEM00 beam quality that enables diffraction-limited resolution on imaging systemst
• A polarization extinction ratio of more than 20 dB to ensure effective separation of the excitation signal from the Brillouin signal.

This combination ensures that Oxxius lasers offer the reliability, precision, and reproducibility required for demanding Brillouin spectroscopy applications.