Important for research
The system has an output beam centered between 390 and 410 nm, and an individual tuning range of 2.5 nm. The laser operates not only in a single transversal mode, but also at a single frequency that is tunable with megahertz precision. (Using a light source with two frequencies will skew spectroscopy results.) It also has higher intensity (5 mW) and offers improved amplitude stability over other blue laser sources, including fixed-frequency gas lasers.
"The blue wavelength region is not only critical for research," said Wilhelm Kaenders, president of TuiOptics. "With our external-cavity setup we add reliable single-frequency operation and tunability to the diodes from Nichia."
Blue light is suitable for fluorescence detection and working with organic dyes. The laser should also be useful for detecting or manipulating chemical elements that have resonant lines in the blue region of the spectrum, including aluminum, erbium, gallium, gadolinium, titanium, tungsten, indium and holmium.
Although initially marketing its laser system to the research community, Kaenders said the company is exploring its uses in other applications, including Raman spectroscopy, microscopy, interferometry and holography, as well as optical data storage and printing. It has received two orders for the system since its debut at Photonics West in late January. The device carries a price tag of $17,000 to $20,000.