Questions:

1. What is a Laser Diode (LD) and how is it different from Light Emitting Diode (LED)?

2. What are the similarities and differences comparing HeNe lasers and laser diodes??

3. How do you compare laser diode's output beam profile with HeNe lasers' output beam profile?

4. What is the laser diode's output beam divergence and how is it minimized?

5. What is CDRH and what roll does it have in the laser industry?

6. Is that possible to include additional built-in features with any of your lasers?

7. I have selected one of your lasers, however I need to have a fiber output. Would you offer such a laser?

8. What is the spectrum line width of the listed DPSS lasers?

9. How is the output power stability of listed DPSS laser modules versus temperature?

10. What is the noise level of the listed DPSS lasers?

11. What is the typical heat dissipation for the listed DPSS lasers? How is the unwanted heat removed?

12. What is the mode structure of the listed DPSS lasers? Is it TEMoo? If not what percentage is TEMoo?

13. What type of beam profile do the listed DPSS lasers offer the "far field" or in the "near field"?

14. What is typical lifetime of your lasers?

15. What is the polarization ratio of the listed lasers?

16. Do you still offer some of the older models that were offered in the past?

17. What type of line projectors do you offer?

18. What determines the brightness (visibility) of a laser source?

19. What is the advantage of using green laser over red laser?

20. I order a 5mW laser source with a line projector. Why does my power meter measures much lower output power?

21. Is the output power of the listed lasers adjustable?

22. Do your lasers have capability to be interfaced to (controlled by) a computer?

23. Do you offer any lasers other than what are listed on your web site?

24. How long have you been in business of making lasers?

25. How do I make my purchase?

26. How do I get pricing for higher quantity or a custom made laser?

27. Do you offer any quantity discount?

28. What type of warranty you offer with your lasers?

29. What is typical lead-time and delivery for your lasers?

30. Is your 266 nM UV laser 95% TEMoo?

Answers:

Q1.What is Laser Diode (LD) and how is it different from Light Emitting Diode (LED)?
A1: Invented in 1963, laser diode is a complex semiconductor device, which emits a coherent beam of light and is becoming the most widely used laser source.

Q3. How do you compare laser diode's output beam profile with HeNe lasers' output beam profile?
A3: Due to their internal chip structure typically laser diodes emit an oval shape beam profile. HeNe laser in general emits a more circular beam profile. With use of special beam corrective optics, LD output beam profile could be more circularized.

Q4. What is the laser diode's output beam divergence and how is it minimized?
A4: Depends mostly on laser diode mode structure and its emitter size, beam divergence may be as high as 10mrad in each axis. Use of collimating optics and perhaps beam expanders enable reduction of beam divergence to below 1mrad.

Q5. What is CDRH and what roll does it have in the laser industry?
A5: CDRH stands for Center for Devices and Radiological Health and is a division of FDA that regulates all radiation emitting products in the USA.

Q6. Is that possible to include additional built-in features with any of your lasers?
A6: Yes, although most of lasers are listed with some standard features. More features can be added per customer request. In fact our expertise in tailoring laser systems to customers need is known in the laser industry.

Q7. I have selected one of your lasers, however I need to have a fiber output. Would you offer such a laser?
A7: Yes, most of our lasers are available to provide SM or MM fiber optics connectivity or coupling with some additional charge. Please provide fiber size and length and type of connector with your purchase order.

Q8. What is the spectrum line width of the listed DPSS lasers?
A8: Depending on model, mostly lies in the range of 0.1 - 0.2 nm (1-2 A)

Q9. How is the output power stability of listed DPSS laser modules versus temperature fluctuation?
A9: Output power stability of most diode laser modules/systems and DPSS laser modules with optical feedback control remain reasonably unchanged. Output power stability vs. temperature fluctuation of most DPSS green laser modules without optical feedback control is shown in figure. Typical output power stability vs. change of temperature in the range of (10 through 40 °C) change of most DPSS laser systems does not exceed 1% and is shown in figure. Change in output power vs. change in temperature of blue laser modules without optical feedback control is similar to figure. Each laser has an optimum temperature that (in the 20 to 35 °C range) the laser produces its maximum output power. This optimum temperature is determined for each laser and is indicated in the laser's specification and instruction manual. The further the laser's temperature from its optimum temperature the more fluctuation in its output power.

Q10. What is the noise level of the listed DPSS lasers?
A10: For laser in visible range (red, blue, green), it typically falls below 20% RMS in 10 KHz - 1 MHz frequency range. For IR CW lasers it falls under 2% RMS at maximum output power level. Intelite offers low noise (<1%) DPSS lasers as well.

Q11. What is the typical heat dissipated by the listed DPSS lasers? How is the unwanted heat removed?
A11: Heat is generated in all laser sources. In most low power red and IR lasers, the generated heat is not significant and therefore do not raise any concern. Basically when operated the case temperature of laser head must remain below 45 °C. Most of our DPSS laser systems have built-in automatic shut down switch that switches off laser if case temperature reaches 45 °C. Higher power DPSS laser systems are shipped with fanned heat sink unit that allows heat dissipation of laser head. For the blue laser modules that are most sensitive to heat, not only heat has to be dissipated effectively, the temperature has to remain at or near the laser's optimum case temperature (predefined, see Q. 6). Although our blue laser modules come with adequate heat sink a small remote fan is included as well. By placing the remote fan near the laser head, laser may dissipate the generated heat more effectively and operate at or near its optimum temperature.

Q12. What is the mode structure of the listed DPSS lasers? Is it TEMoo? If not what percentage is TEMoo?
A12: Unless specified otherwise our laser radiate mainly in TEMoo mode (approx. 95%).

Q13.What type of beam profile do the listed DPSS lasers offer the "far field" or in the "near field"?
A13: In most multi-mode diode lasers without any beam corrections the beam profile is rectangular with high divergence. With addition of beam corrective optics beam profile in these lasers can be significantly improved. Beam profile in our single mode diode lasers without any beam corrective optics is oval shape. With addition of beam corrective optics circular beam profile is obtained. For our DPSS lasers some typical beam profile examples can be seen in the following charts.