Picosecond Pulsed Diodes and LEDs

Compact and reliable turn-key diode laser solutions work in picosecond pulsed, modulated, or fast-switched (nsec to µsec) operation mode.

The PicoQuant group was founded in 1996 to develop robust, compact, and easy to use time-resolved instrumentation and systems. Our intention is to offer state-of-the-art technology, which has been co-developed and tested by renowned researchers, at a price affordable to scientific groups and cost sensitive industry.

PicoQuant's compact and reliable turn-key diode laser solutions work in picosecond pulsed, modulated, or fast-switched (nsec to µsec) operation mode. The laser systems typically consist of a common driver unit and exchangeable heads. Specialized lasers are also available as stand-alone units.

Picosecond Pulsed Drivers

The picosecond pulsed diode laser drivers are designed as universal units that can control the dedicated laser or LED heads offered by PicoQuant. All drivers permit to control repetition rate and pulse energy of the attached heads. The drivers are available as single channel or multichannel units with manual or computer control. Their high quality and reliability are expressed by a unique 5-year limited warranty. The main differences between the available drivers are:

PDL 800-D

Picosecond Pulsed Diode Laser Driver with CW Capability

Adjustable repetition rates from from 31.25 kHz to 80 MHz or CW operation

External trigger input (single shot to 80 MHz)

Synchronization output

Two gating options (fast / slow gate)

PDL 828 "Sepia II"

Computer Controlled Multichannel Picosecond Diode Laser Driver

Modular system, drives up to 8 laser or LED heads

Adjustable repetition rates from from 196 kHz to 80 MHz or CW operation

Computer controlled through USB

Various operation modes: bursts, simultaneous, delayed, sequential, burst sequence

Picosecond Pulsed Sources

The picosecond pulsed sources are either laser diode based or LED based devices that can be operated at variable, user-adjustable repetition rates up to 80 MHz. They cover discrete wavelengths from 245 nm to 1990 nm or are tunable in the VIS. Power levels vary between µW and hundreds of mW for the most powerful, fibre amplified versions. Pulse widths can be as short as 40 ps. The following table gives a rough overview about the key parameters. It should be noted that all mentioned parameters do strongly depend on the individual wavelength.

Solea

Supercontinuum Laser

Extended spectral range: 480 - 900 nm

Supercontinuum or wavelength selected output through PM fiber

External or internal trigger: 1 - 40 MHz

Pulse width down to 90 ps (wavelength and power dependent)

Supercontinuum average output power up to 750 mW

Average spectral output power after wavelength selector up to 2.5 mW / 5 nm

VisIR

Versatile Picosecond Laser Module

Center emission wavelength 766 nm and 1532 nm

Pulse width typ. 70 ps (FWHM) or 0.5 ns (FWHM)

Average output power > 1.5 W or > 400 mW

Repetition rates from single shot up to 80 MHz

VisUV

Versatile Picosecond Laser Module

Center emission wavelength 266, 355, 532 and 1064 nm

Pulse width < 70 ps (FWHM)

Average output power between 2 and 1000 mW (depending on wavelength)

Repetition rates from single shot up to 80 MHz

High power at 532 nm with VisUV-532-HP

LDH Series

Picosecond Pulsed Diode Laser Heads

Wavelengths between 375 and 1990 nm

Pulse widths as short as 40 ps (FWHM) or CW operation

Adjustable (average) power up to 20 mW

Repetition rate from single shot to 80 MHz

LDH-FA Series

Amplified Picosecond Pulsed Laser Diode Heads

Available at 266, 355, 531, 766, 1064, and 1532 nm

Pulse width down to 70 ps (FWHM)

Average output power between 1 mW and 450 mW (depending on wavelength)

Repetition rates up to 80 MHz

Collimated beam or PM fiber output with FC/APC fiber connector

NEW: 560 nm, < 70 ps (FWHM)

PLS Series

Sub-nanosecond Pulsed LEDs

Center wavelengths between 245 nm and 600 nm

Pulse width down to 500 ps

Adjustable (average) power up to 80 µW

Repetition rate from single shot up to 40 MHz

Modulated and Fast Switched Lasers

Dedicated laser systems for modulation (up to 2 GHz) and long pulse generation (nsec to µsec) can be provided at several discrete wavelengths from 375 nm to 1550 nm. Pulse shapes include sine waves, rectangular or even programmable pulse shapes.