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LDH Series – Picosecond Laser Diode Heads for PDL 800-D/PDL 810/PDL 828

The LDH Series laser heads are ideally suited for any application that requires picosecond pulses with variable repetition rates. Since we use a wide variety of laser diode types for our LDH laser heads, we can offer a broad range of wavelengths, power values, and spectral widths. Each laser head includes control electronics specially matched to the diode and collimating optics. Different types of optical fibers can also be fitted to laser output.

Short pulse durations

Pulse profile of an LDH-P-C-405 laser head

 

Most LDH laser heads can generate pulses with a temporal width ranging typically between 40 and 120 ps (FWHM), while some individual diodes can achieve pulse widths down to 20-30 ps (selectable on request). Temporal pulse width depends on the laser diode and on the power level at which the laser head is being operated (i.e., an optimal pulse width is reached above the laser threshold and can broaden with increasing power).

Example of pulse profiles of the LDH-P-C-640B at different output powers

 

 

Adjustable average power of several mW

Example of pulse profiles of the LDH-P-C-485B at different output powers

Laser heads of the LDH Series are designed to produce nearly constant pulse energy at a given intensity setting. The commonly achieved pulse energies are typically around a few tens of pJ. At repetition rates of 40 or 80 MHz, this corresponds to average output powers of several mW. Note that with increased output power, the diodes temporal pulse profile will always broaden and might show additional peaks or shoulders.

By varying the total number of carriers (i.e., the driving current) in the diode it is possible to change the output power of the diode. However, a higher pulse power, i.e., a higher injected current leads to additional oscillations inside the laser diode. These oscillations can be seen as additional peaks or shoulders in the temporal pulse profile. As a consequence, an increased output power of the diode always results in an increased pulse width and a non-uniform temporal pulse shape. “Clean” and near symmetrical pulses can only be achieved close to the lasing threshold.

 

 

Repetition rates up to 80 MHz

When operated in conjunction with a laser driver from the PDL Series, all heads from the LDH Series are capable of repetition rates ranging from 1 Hz to several tens of MHz. Depending on the diode used, maximum rates of 40 and 80 MHz can be achieved for blue (with wavelengths shorter than 530 nm) and red emitting laser heads, respectievely.

Pulsed and CW operation

LDH-D laser heads can be operated in either pulsed or cw mode. When run in cw mode, they can reach optical output powers up to 200 mW, while power in pulsed mode is identical to that of an LDH-P laser head with the same emission wavelength. Note that dual operation mode is only available when using a PDL 800-DSepia PDL 810 or PDL 828 “Sepia II” laser driver.

Fiber coupling and combiner

The laser heads of the LDH Series can be optionally coupled into a variety of optical fibers (multi-mode, single mode, or polarization maintaining single mode) via different connector types. We recommend FC/APC connectors for most applications, since they prevent back reflections that can interfere with laser stability. For details see our solutions for fiber coupling.

Furthermore, up to 5 laser heads of the LDH Series can be combined into a single delivery fiber within our Laser Combining Unit  (LCU).

General specifications

Beam parameters3
Optics focus length f’ = 4.5 mm (Typ. for LDH-P/D-C-xxx)
f’ = 9.0 mm (Typ. for LDH-D-TA-xxx)
Numerical aperture 0.55
Typical divergence (with optics) Theta parallel Typ. 0.11 mrad
Theta perpendicular Typ. 0.32 mrad
Beam shape Elliptical shape, typ. dimensions 1.5 × 3.5 mm
Polarization typ. linear, perpendicular to the longer axis of the elliptical beam1
Polarization Extinction Ratio (PER) typ. > 1:10 (> 10 dB)
Side mode suppression ratio (SMSR) typ. < 0.01
Cooling
Peltier cooling stability better than 1 K for ambient temperature between 15 and 30 °C
Dimensions
Cooled 62 × 100 mm (diameter × length)
Cooled with fiber coupling 62 × 132 mm (diameter × length)
Cooled D-TA type 68 × 148 mm (diameter × length)
“F-type” with FC/APC connector 200 × 100 × 35 mm (l × w × h)
Spectral width2
Wavelengths < 900 nm approx. 2 to 8 nm
Wavelengths > 900 nm approx. 10 to 20 nm
CW operation < 1 nm
Power stability (cooled)
12 hours, Delta T (ambient) < 3 K 1 % RMS, 3 % peak to peak

1 a few exceptions to this behavior might occur
2 narrower bandwidth might be available on request
3 the values of beam parameter are typical values. Some fluctuation may occur. In particular the beam divergence can be larger for multimode diode laser diode head (LDH-P/D-C-XXXM)

LDH warning - Class 3b laser product

 

Pulse-to-pulse jitter

LDH Series - Pulse to pulse jitter

The image on the right shows a typical measurement result of the pulse-to-pulse jitter. In this case the measurement result is 2.6 ps.


 

All Information given here is reliable to our best knowledge. However, no responsibility is assumed for possible inaccuracies or omissions. Specifications and external appearances are subject to change without notice.

LDH Series

Picosecond Laser Diode Heads for PDL 800-D/PDL 810/PDL 828

  • -NEW: PIE-ALEX ready fast-switched laser heads – best controlled via Sepia PDL 828. Watch video
  • -Wavelengths between 375 and 1990 nm
  • -Pulse widths as short as 20 ps (FWHM)
  • -Adjustable (average) power up to 50 mW
  • -Repetition rate from single shot to 80 MHz
  • -Optional dual mode: pulsed and CW operation
  • -Collimating optics, optional fiber coupling and peltier cooling

The following table lists the pulse parameters and power values of the available wavelengths of the LDH Series (available between 266 and 530 nm with max. repetition rate of 40 MHz and between 530 and 2000 nm with max. repetition rate of 80 MHz). The two power adjustment levels specified here refer to the same laser head. These levels can be adjusted using the corresponding driver of the PDL Series. The ‘Low’ adjustment is the best choice for shortest pulses and is usually reached close to the lasing threshold. The ‘High’ adjustment is used to achieve highest pulse power at moderate pulse length and corresponds to the maximum intensity setting of the driver. Dual mode laser head (LDH-D Series, pulsed and CW operation) can only be controlled by the PDL 800-D or PDL 828 “Sepia II” laser driver. These laser heads have a spectral width of a few nm. Special selected laser heads with narrow spectral bandwidth can also be provided.

The table below is regularly updated based on data from recently manufactured laser heads. Other specifications such as shorter pulse widths or higher powers might be possible depening on the performance of diodes in stock. Please contact us for more information.

Wavelength
(± 10) [nm]
Type
(LDH-)
Pulse1
(FWHM) [ps]
Max rep. rate
[MHz]
High avg. power2
[mW]
Low avg. power3
[mW]
CW power
[mW]
266 (± 3) P-FA-2666 Please refer to the LDH-FA Series page
355 (± 3) P-FA-3556 Please refer to the LDH-FA Series page
375 (± 5) P-C-375 < 90 40 2.0 0.6
P-C-375B < 60 40 5.0 0.8
D-C-375 < 60 40 5.0 0.8 40
P-C-375M < 90 40 10.0 2.5
D-C-375M < 90 40 10.0 2.5 50
395 P-C-390 < 70 40 5.0 1.0
D-C-390 < 70 40 5.0 1.0 30
405 P-C-405 < 50 80 4.0 0.8
P-C-405B < 50 40 3.0 1.0
D-C-405 < 50 40 3.0 1.0 50
D-C-405S < 50 40 3.0 1.0 50
P-C-405M < 90 40 25.0 10.0
420 P-C-420 < 70 40 5.0 0.5
D-C-420 < 70 40 5.0 0.5 30
440 P-C-440 < 80 40 2.0 0.4
P-C-440B < 70 40 4.0 1.0
D-C-440 < 70 40 4.0 1.0 50
D-C-440S < 80 40 4.0 0.8 50
P-C-440M < 100 40 25.0 10.0
D-C-440M < 100 40 25.0 10.0 200
450 P-C-450 < 100 40 2.0 0.5
P-C-450B < 70 40 5.0 0.7
D-C-450 < 70 40 5.0 0.7 10
P-C-450M < 110 40 20.0 1.0
D-C-450M < 110 40 20.0 1.0 200
470 P-C-470 < 80 40 3.0 0.6
P-C-470B < 70 40 4.0 0.8
D-C-470 < 70 40 4.0 0.8 60
D-C-470S < 70 40 4.0 0.8 60
P-C-470M < 120 40 20.0 8.0
D-C-470M < 120 40 20.0 8.0 200
488 (± 3) P-C-488 < 140 40 4.0 0.7
D-C-488 < 140 40 4.0 0.7 40
485 P-C-485 < 170 40 2.0 0.4
P-C-485B < 140 40 5.0 0.7
D-C-4854 < 100 40 5.0 0.9 50
D-C-485S4 < 120 40 5.0 0.7 50
500 P-C-500 < 130 40 2.0 0.5
P-C-500B < 100 40 5.0 0.7
D-C-500 < 100 40 5.0 0.7 40
510 P-C-510 < 130 40 2.0 0.3
P-C-510B < 130 40 4.0 0.6
D-C-5104 < 130 40 4.0 0.6 40
D-C-510S4 < 110 40 4.0 0.6 40
515 (± 3) P-FA-515L6 Please refer to the LDH-FA Series page
P-C-520B < 170 40 4.0 1.3
D-C-5204 < 170 40 4.0 1.3 40
520 P-C-520M < 160 40 25.0 6.0
532 (± 3) P-FA-530B/L/XL6 Please refer to the LDH-FA Series page
D-TA-5306 < 80 80 0.7 0.3 10
D-TA-530B6 < 80 80 1.1 0.5 20
557 (± 3) P-FA-5606 Please refer to the LDH-FA Series page
561 (± 3) D-TA-5606 < 80 80 0.5 0.3 5
D-TA-560B6 < 80 80 0.7 0.5 20
594 (± 3) D-TA-5956 < 100 80 0.3 0.2 5
D-TA-595B6 < 100 80 0.5 0.4 5
596 (± 3) P-FA-595B6 Please refer to the LDH-FA Series page
635 P-C-635M < 120 80 20.0 4.0
D-C-635M < 120 80 20.0 4.0 100
640 P-C-640B < 90 80 20.0 2.0
D-C-640 < 90 80 20.0 3.0 50
D-C-640S < 90 80 20.0 2.0 50
655 P-C-650 < 90 80 6.0 0.9
D-C-650 < 90 80 6.0 0.9 10
660 P-C-660 < 90 80 10.0 1.0
D-C-660 < 90 80 10.0 1.0 30
665 P-C-670B < 90 80 4.0 0.7
D-C-670B < 90 80 4.0 0.7 15
670 P-C-670 < 70 80 2.0 0.5
D-C-670 < 70 80 2.0 0.7 3
685 P-C-690 < 70 80 8.0 1.0
D-C-690 < 70 80 8.0 1.0 20
705 P-C-705 < 70 80 10.0 2.0
D-C-705 < 70 80 10.0 2.0 20
730 P-C-730 < 70 80 6.0 2.0
D-C-730 < 70 80 6.0 2.0 15
760 (± 3) P-C-N-760 See “narrow bandwith” table below
766 (± 3) P-FA-765XL6 Please refer to the LDH-FA Series page
775 (± 3) P-FA-775XL6 Please refer to the LDH-FA Series page
780 P-C-780 < 70 80 10.0 1.0
D-C-780 < 70 80 10.0 1.0 40
805 P-C-810 < 110 80 10.0 1.0
D-C-810 < 110 80 10.0 1.0 50
P-C-810M < 90 80 30.0 3.0
D-C-810M < 90 80 30.0 3.0 100
830 P-C-830 < 70 80 8.0 0.3
D-C-830 < 70 80 8.0 0.3 20
P-C-830M < 90 80 30.0 10.0
D-C-830M < 90 80 30.0 10.0 100
840 P-C-840 < 80 80 4.0 0.5
D-C-840 < 80 80 4.0 0.5 30
852 (± 3) P-C-N-850 See “narrow bandwith” table below
850 D-C-850 < 90 80 10.0 3.0 50
905 P-C-905 < 90 80 8.0 1.5
D-C-905 < 90 80 8.0 1.5 50
940 P-C-940 < 90 80 5.0 1.4
D-C-940 < 90 80 5.0 1.4 50
975 P-C-980 < 80 80 6.0 1.8
975 D-C-980 < 80 80 6.0 1.8 50
976 P-F-980 < 110 80 25.0 7.0
D-F-980 < 110 80 25.0 7.0 100
980 P-C-980MB5 < 6000 80 380.0
1025 P-F-1030 < 90 80 10.0 2.0
1062 (± 3) P-C-N-1064 See “narrow bandwith” table below
1062 (± 3) D-C-N-1064 See “narrow bandwith” table below
1063 (± 3) P-FA-1060/XL6 Please refer to the LDH-FA Series page
1080 P-C-1080 < 50 80 4.0 2.5
D-C-1080 < 50 80 4.0 2.5 30
1120 P-C-1120 < 90 80 5.0 2.5
D-C-1120 < 90 80 5.0 2.5 20
1310 (± 20) P-C-1310 < 50 80 2.0 0.1
D-C-1310 < 50 80 2.0 0.1 5
1532 to 1560 (± 3) P-FA-1530/XL6 Please refer to the LDH-FA Series page
1550 (± 30) P-C-1550 < 50 80 1.0 0.02
1550 (± 20) D-C-1550 < 40 80 1.0 0.05 2.5
1990 (± 40) P-F-1990 < 120 80 0.3 0.1

1 Shortest pulse width at min intensity setting above laser threshold. Possible pulse broadening at high intensity settings.
Pulses are deconvoluted with 30 ps detection IRF. Shorter pulse widths are available on demand.
2 Average optical power at max repetition rate and max intensity setting.
3 Average optical power at max repetition rate and min intensity setting above laser threshold.
4 Different coupling efficiency into optical fibers for pulsed and CW operation due to astigmatism and possible wavelength shift. The coupling is optimized for pulsed operation as standard.
5 The max sustained repetition rate without extra cooling is 40 MHz. 80 MHz is meant to be used in burst mode with duty
cycle of max 50% for e.g. upconversion application. A sustained operation at 80 MHz is possible with external fan cooling.
Without external cooling, possible overheating may occur after a few minutes, leading to safety shut-off.
Amplified laser heads are excluded from the 5-year limited warranty.

Naming scheme of the LDH Series laser heads

Naming scheme for laser heads from the LDH Series

Description:

Option “C”: Laser head with thermoelectric cooler, mandatory for some laser heads, optional for all other laser heads.

Option “S”: NEW ns Fast-switched capability for CW mode. PIE-ALEX ready – best controlled via Sepia PDL 828

Option “M”: Transversal multi mode structure, reduced coupling efficiency into single mode fibers, not suited for microscopy applications

Option “F”: Laser head emits a divergent beam from FC/APC fiber output connector.

On request: narrow spectral bandwidth

The given specification are for information only, possible changes may occur.

Wavelength
Central
[nm]
Variation
[nm]
Type4
(LDH-)
Linewidth
(FWHM) [nm]
Pulse1
(FWHM) [ps]
Max rep. rate
[MHz]
Low avg. power2
[mW]
High avg. power3
[mW]
760 ±3 P-C-N-760 < 0.2 < 110 80 0.9 6.0
782 ±3 P-C-N-780 On request
852 ±3 P-C-N-850 < 0.3 < 100 80 1.5 9.0
1062 ±3 P-C-N-1064 < 1 < 130 80 0.8 10.0
1062 ±3 D-C-N-1064 < 1 < 130 80 0.8 10.0
1063 ±3 P-F-N-1064 < 0.5 < 100 80 0.9 10.0
1275 ±7 P-C-N-1310 < 0.5 < 40 80 0.03 1.3
1300 ±7 P-C-N-1310 < 0.5 < 40 80 0.03 1.3
1310 ±7 P-C-N-1310 < 0.5 < 40 80 0.03 1.3
1325 ±7 P-C-N-1310 < 0.5 < 40 80 0.03 1.3
1349 ±7 P-C-N-1310 < 0.5 < 40 80 0.03 1.3
1510 ±3 P-C-N-1550 <0.2 < 40 80 0.05 1.3
1530 ±3 P-C-N-1550 < 0.2 < 40 80 0.05 1.3
1530 ±3 P-C-N-1550 < 0.2 < 40 80 0.05 1.3
1550 ±3 P-C-N-1550 < 0.2 < 40 80 0.05 1.3
1550 ±3 P-F-N-1550 < 0.5 < 70 80 0.1 2.5
1570 ±3 P-C-N-1550 < 0.2 < 40 80 0.05 1.3
1590 ±3 P-C-N-1550 < 0.2 < 40 80 0.05 1.3
1610 ±3 P-C-N-1550 < 0.2 < 40 80 0.05 1.3
Available upon request: 763, 795, 937, 1083 nm (± 3 nm)

1 Shortest pulse width at min intensity setting above laser threshold. Possible pulse broadening at high intensity settings. The instrument response function of 30 ps is deconvoluted. Shorter pulse widths are available on demand.
2 Average optical power at max repetition rate and max intensity setting.
3 Average optical power at max repetition rate and min intensity setting above laser threshold.
4 LDH-D-C-N types including CW mode are available as well.
LDH warning - Class 3b laser product

Other wavelength as well as wavelength selection are available upon special request. All measurements shown may be subject to a 10% callibration error.

Each laser head undergoes an extensive burn-in test to ensure long-term stability and is shipped with a comprehensive set of test data. This test data is kept in our database, which already holds records of more than 18 years.

All Information given here is reliable to our best knowledge. However, no responsibility is assumed for possible inaccuracies or omissions. Specifications and external appearances are subject to change without notice.