New Laser Source for Precision Measurement Applications
Offering a new 660 nm single-mode VCSEL from Brightlaser, LASER COMPONENTS expands the possibilities for demanding measurement, analysis, and imaging applications. This red laser features stable linear polarization and unites both high spectral purity and excellent beam quality in a compact and robust design.
The VCSEL delivers a typical optical output power of 1 mW and can reach nearly 2 mW in continuous-wave operation. With a linewidth below 100 MHz, a side-mode suppression ratio (SMSR) exceeding 30 dB, and a polarization extinction ratio (PER) greater than 20 dB, it provides exceptionally stable and spectrally pure emission. These characteristics make it well suited for applications that are sensitive to polarization and interference effects.
In applications such as FTIR spectroscopy, the VCSEL can serve as a reference and alignment light source in interferometers. Its narrow linewidth and high mode purity enable precise determination of the optical path difference, resulting in high wavenumber accuracy in the IR spectrum. The stable linear polarization enhances interference contrast and reduces drift effects – particularly in compact or industrial FTIR systems.
In medical technology, users benefit from its high coherence, well-defined beam profile, and reliable optical performance in the milliwatt range. These properties make the VCSEL ideal for portable, compact, and highly precise medical devices, including systems used in optical coherence tomography (OCT), Doppler measurements, and biophotonic sensing.
In addition, the VCSEL is well suited for a wide range of other applications, such as Raman spectroscopy, laser Doppler measurement, and self-mixing interferometry. It also opens up new opportunities for high-resolution and reliable measurements in precision sensing and industrial metrology.
