System Design

The Model 3500 DPSS laser (US Patent # 6,002,695) is the most efficient high power quasi-cw UV DPSS laser commercially available. Using only a single 2OW diode bar, the Model 3500 has demonstrated powers in excess of 3.0 Watts at 355nm. This incredible efficiency means that the laser can be operated at the normal specification, with minimum stress to the optical components and with a reduced diode current to extend the operating life. Minimizing the diode power required to generate the 355nm third harmonic output from the laser, also minimizes the thermal effects in the gain medium (Nd:YV04), which results in the lowest possible distortion to the beam. Both the second and third harmonic are generated intra-cavity, reducing the need for tight focusing into the non-linear crystals. The result is a stable, high power UV laser with near perfect beam profile having an M² specification of < 1.2 - very close to that of a perfect TEMoo mode.

Applications--Optimizing the Model 3500

The Model 3500 may be optimized to match the requirements of a wide range of applications, depending on whether the requirement is for a quasi-cw source, for high average power, or for high peak power The scaled head is designed to work in the open or closed environment of an OEM system; and the power supply is designed to easily couple to an external control.