Optical components, modules and subsystems developer Oclaro Inc of San Jose, CA, USA has introduced a distributed feedback (DFB) 1060nm laser diode module as the latest addition to its seed laser portfolio, designed for the seeding of sub-nanosecond fiber and solid-state lasers. Oclaro is showcasing the new DFB seed laser modules, high-power lasers, visible and near lasers, and VCSEL technology at the LASER World of PHOTONICS conference (13-16 May) in Munich, Germany.
The 10xx nm DFB laser diode module, featuring a single-mode laser diode with an on-chip distributed feedback grating delivers high peak power for sub-nanosecond and picosecond pulse operation. Capable of peak powers up to 800mW for a pulse width as short as150ps, and a spectral line-width below 100pm, the 10xx seed laser enables highly efficient pulse amplification and improved frequency conversions to green and UV wavelengths, says the firm. It allows customers to extend their current nanosecond lasers to the picosecond regime. Operating with these short pulses improves the quality of material processing and mitigates the common SBS (stimulated Brillouin scattering) problem with pulse fiber lasers that occurs above 10ns. In CW mode, the seed laser module delivers 200mW of optical power with a 3dB line-width of 150kHz and 50dB side mode suppression ratio.
“The market for picosecond material processing is growing fast as these systems enable higher precision in micromachining by reducing the affected heat zone,” says Gunnar Stolze, VP of sales & marketing for Global Industrial and Consumer business. "We are partnering with our customers to leverage the exceptional performance of this DFB seed laser to drive innovation in shorter pulse generation for these applications."
The DFB seed module features a standard telecom butterfly type package that includes a thermistor and back-facet monitor photodiode. Reliability of the DFB chip has been demonstrated with over 8000 hours of multi-cell life-testing at accelerated operating conditions with zero failures.
