powerMIR
The lasers in the powerMIR product range are based on Fabry-Pérot quantum cascade lasers. The powerMIR lasers emit at a desired wavelength in the two transmission bands of the atmosphere, from 3-5 µm (5000 – 2000 cm -1) and 8-12 µm (1250 – 833 cm-1). The lasers are manufactured in France, are ITAR-free, and offer outstanding performance and wall-plug efficiency. They can be operated in pulsed or continuous wave (CW) mode. The short pulses – typically from 20 to 500 ns – are preferred for powerMIRs and can emit 1 to 2 watts with a typical average duty cycle of 50%.
Benefits
- ITAR-free technology
- Quasi-continuous wave (QCW) mode for increased wall-plug efficiency with reduced heat dissipation
- Optional: circular laser beam to reduce beam shaping
Configurations
powerMIR lasers are available in various laser system configurations, including as a plug-and-play benchtop turnkey system, powerMIR OEM (POEM) module, or as a pure HHL-packaged laser.
HHL-packaged laser
The High-Heat-Load (HHL) packaged lasers with integrated TEC element and thermistor for controlling the chip temperature and integrated lens for laser beam collimation are suitable for customers who only want to purchase the laser itself. The lasers are burned in during the manufacturing process to ensure long-term performance and wavelength stability. The lasers are hermetically sealed and filled with dry nitrogen. These HHL lasers feature robust packaging for harsh environments.
powerMIR OEM module (HHL laser + OEM driver module)
The POEM modules are suitable for those who want to integrate the lasers into an existing product. The POEM modules comprise a PCB driver with a connected HHL laser. As the systems are OEM subcomponents that are integrated into a larger overall system, this component does not have CE certification. The responsibility for using the non-CE-marked laser in everyday laboratory work therefore lies with the customer.
The driver includes temperature and current control. The integrated firmware protects the laser. Electrical pulse widths of less than 10 ns can be achieved.
The OEM modules can be controlled using the supplied Windows software or via Modbus communication with RS485. With a monitoring computer, multiple systems can be controlled and synchronized for a combination of power outputs.
Plug-and-Play Benchtop Turnkey System
The plug-and-play benchtop turnkey system can control temperature, power, and air cooling via Windows software, thereby preventing laser damage. Laser power can be modulated via the software or an external TTL signal. Laser powers of more than 800 mW and pulse widths of up to 10 ns and quasi-continuous wave (QCW) modes can be operated with the turnkey system.
The system can control two laser heads simultaneously and can be equipped with a red alignment laser. This full-featured system is CE certified and has an interlock.
Configurations – Overview
| HHL | OEM | Turnkey | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Collimating lens inside the package | √ | √ | √ |
| Built-in thermistor and thermoelectric cooler (TEC) inside the package | √ | √ | √ |
| Sealed atmosphere package | √ | √ | √ |
| OEM integration | √ | √ | |
| Plug and play | √ | ||
| Multiple laser heads | √ | ||
| Red beam alignment | √ | ||
| Air cooling | √ | ||
| Manual shutter & safety key | √ | ||
| User friendly software | √ | √ | |
| Temperature control of QCL chip | √ | √ | |
| MODBUS control | √ | ||
| Software or TTL power modulation | √ | √ | |
| Down to 10 ns of electrical pulsewidth | √ | √ | |
| 252-points modulation envelope that the user can customize | √ |
What are Fabry-Pérot QCLs??
Fabry-Pérot quantum cascade lasers are the easiest cavities to implement in QCLs. They have a lens integrated into the laser chip and therefore tend to have multimodal emission.
In general, quantum cascade lasers emit in the mid-infrared range. What makes them special is that
- the electron migrates through the structure due to its cascade-like structure (no electron-hole recombination)
- the electron is recycled
- and thus one electron can eject several electrons
The QCL consists of an active/gain stage (where inversion population takes place) and an injection/relaxation stage (where electrons are recycled), which are repeated several times.
What laser safety class does my powerMIR laser have?
The laser protection class for POEM and turnkey systems can be seen in the table below; no protection class is specified for HHL lasers. The laser safety class of the pulsed laser depends on the average optical output power.
| Optical power level | Safety class |
|---|---|
| > 500mW | Class 4 |
| Between 50mW and 500mW | Class 3B |
| Between 10mW and 50mW | Class 3R |
| < 10mW | Class 1 |