SANTA CLARA, Calif., 15 April 2007. Coherent Inc. in Santa Clara, Calif., is introducing a series of low-power, continuous-wave (CW) carbon-dioxide (CO2) lasers.

The Diamond C series of lasers consists of sealed lasers with output powers of 30, 40, 55, and 70 Watts at 10.6 microns. These lasers offer amplitude stability ±5 percent for air-cooled models and ±3 percent for liquid-cooled units.

Output beam characteristics are M2 <1.2 for 30-Watt and 55-Watt systems, and M2 <1.3 for 40-Watt and 70-Watt models.

Based on several key design innovations, the Diamond C series has superior performance to earlier sealed CW CO2 lasers, company officials say. Innovations include the use of components and resonator materials that optimize both laser efficiency and lifetime. In addition, laser cooling and temperature control have been improved to further benefit laser stability and lifetime.

Diamond C series lasers are for materials-processing applications, such as marking and engraving, which generally require output powers less than 100 Watts. The RF power supply is inside the laser head.

Typical marking applications include processing plastics, paper, medical packaging, PC boards, and low-cost semiconductor products. For more information contact Coherent online at www.Coherent.com.