Pulsed Laser Diodes

A pulsed laser diode has an output that varies with respect to time to produce alternating on and off periods. This form of output allows the device to focus as much energy as possible at a given place in as short time as possible, which can be highly beneficial in many industrial applications. Pulsed operation can be achieved in a number of ways, including Q-switching, mode-locking and pulse pumping.

In a Q-switched laser diode, the population inversion is allowed to build up by making the cavity conditions (or Q) unfavorable for lasing. When the pump energy reaches the desired level, the Q is switched to release the pulse. This results in high peak powers as the average laser power is concentrated into a shorter timeframe.

A mode-locked laser diode emits extremely short pulses down to less than 10fs that are typically separated by the time that a pulse takes to complete one round trip in the resonator cavity. Again, because of the short timescales involved, these lasers can achieve extremely high powers.

Pulsed pumping involves pumping the laser material with a source that is itself pulsed, either through electronic charging or another laser which is already pulsed. Pulsed pumping was originally used with dye lasers where the inverted population lifetime of a dye molecule was so short that a high energy, fast pump was needed.

PerkinElmer's range of 850 - 1550nm Pulsed Laser Diodes are produced using Vapor Phase Epitaxial (VPE) and MOCVD growth techniques. Fiber optic pigtailed devices employ an advanced fiber alignment process yielding highly stable fiber to laser diode positioning. Alternative packages and fiber optic core diameters may be supplied on a custom basis. If you cannot see the datasheet you require, please call or email.