iFLEX-1000 temperature controlled fiber-coupled laser diode system

Citation

(2001), "iFLEX-1000 temperature controlled fiber-coupled laser diode system", Sensor Review, Vol. 21 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/sr.2001.08721baf.006

iFLEX-1000 temperature controlled fiber-coupled laser diode system

iFLEX-1000 temperature controlled fiber-coupled laser diode system

Keyword: Lasers

The iFLEX-1000 fiber-coupled laser diode system from Point Source, the Hamble-based laser systems manufacturer, offers performance-conscious OEMs the benefit of active temperature control to 0.1 degree C, and hence extended laser life (see Plate 5). It derivers a wavelength and power stable, high quality laser beam from flexible single mode, polarisation-maintaining fiber that is housed in and protected by a flexible stainless steel jacket. iFLEX-1000 is a compact and extremely robustly engineered solution that can be used with confidence – even in harsh environments – carrying a 5,000-hour continuous operation or 18-month warranty.

Plate 5 The iFLEX-1000 temperature controlled fibre-coupled laser diode from Point Source

iFLEX-1000 offers the optical designer a proven and reliable light source that is claimed to be unmatched in terms of beam quality. Its fiber delivers a circular Gaussian beam with a divergence of less than 1.1mrad/°C and a pointing error of less than 1 µr. iFLEX-1000 does away with the need for costly and complicated additional components, as it comes with a single, compact unit that measures just 114mm x 80mm x 60mm. This incorporates the drive electronics plus the diode control and the temperature control, both of which are powered by a single-ended 5V supply.

Temperature control and laser control on the iFLEX-1000 are linked, so the laser is immediately shut down if the ambient temperature rises above the safe limit. This protects the diode and prolongs the laser's life. Wavelength variation is reduced to less than 0.1nm over the normal 15°C to 45°C operating range and there is a significant reduction in the tendency for the laser to mode hop, so reducing random power jumps that would otherwise cause banding in imaging applications and signal errors or noise in particle counting applications.

The active temperature control additionally allows the system to be tuned for operation at specific wavelengths between 635nm and 830nm and corresponding output powers up to 60mW. This has resulted in the iFLEX-1000 system being used in a number of high precision bio-chemical, semiconductor and reprographic applications throughout the world, where it has successfully replaced the HeNe laser.

All iFLEX-1000 systems are tailored to meet the customer's precise requirements and every component and the final assembly are tested prior to despatch. The company's design and engineering teams work in close collaboration with customers' product development and applications personnel from the earliest concept stage through to commissioning.

More detailed information on Point Source is available on the company's Web site at www.point-source.com