TECHNOLOGY

Diode-pumped solid-state (DPSS) lasers are an exciting new tool for OEM applications that combines the beam quality of a gas laser and the small size and efficiency of a diode laser with single-line output in the blue (457nm), green (532nm), or infrared (1064nm).

Dream Lasers DPSS lasers, shown in the picture below, start with a standard diode laser operating at 808nm. The output of this laser is focused into a small chip of neodymium-doped YAG or vanadate (the lasing medium) producing laser output at 914nm or 1064nm, depending on the basic configuration. To obtain blue or green ligth, a frequency-doubling crystal is inserted into the laser cavity. Finally, extracavity beam conditioning optics are added to enlarge and collimate the beam.

Green laser is also a primary color and is aesthetically attractive. Because of that it is widely used in laser shows and as stage lighting. Green laser light sources are also popular in medical devices and biological research. In recent years, diode-pumped solid-state (DPSS) lasers have become an attractive alternative to aircooled argon ion lasers and green helium neon (HeNe) lasers in many applications. DPSS lasers, which, depending upon the configuration, produce output in the infrared (1064nm) or green (532 nm), combine high output power with long operating life. They exhibit excellent output stability, exceptional mode purity, and extremely low power consumption, and are ideal for both laboratory and OEM applications.