Coherent offers high-power blue lasers for instrumentation, semiconductor inspection, and biomedical applications

SANTA CLARA, Calif., 28 Nov. 2006. Coherent Inc. in Santa Clara, Calif., is extending the power range of its Sapphire all-solid-state, 488-nanometer lasers with the introduction of new products in its low-power (LP) and high-power (HP) platforms.

The Sapphire 488 HP blue laser now includes a 500-milliwatt option in the same standard package configuration that formerly offered 100 or 200 milliwatts of output. This powerful air-cooled laser head measures 215 by 140 by 51 millimeters and produces a quality output in terms of mode quality.

The new 500-milliwatt Sapphire 488 HP primarily is for biomedical applications, such as flow cytometry and fluorescence imaging where the high power translates into increased process throughput and improved signal-to-noise ratio. Furthermore, compared to argon ion lasers of this power range, the Sapphire 488 HP offers longer lifetime, smaller size, lower power consumption and the convenience of air-cooling.

The second new laser is a 75-milliwatt Sapphire 488 LP. This laser is offered in a compact 125 by 70 by 34 millimeters form factor as Sapphire lasers in the 10-milliwatt to 50-milliwatt range. Sapphire 488 LP also has same very high quality beam characteristics as the Sapphire 488 HP.

For biomedical as well as semiconductor inspection and instrumentation applications, the combination of 75-milliwatt output power, compact package size, low heat dissipation, long lifetime, and high stability make the Sapphire 488 LP an alternative to air-cooled argon lasers. The common package size and electrical interface requirements with the lower power models can simplify upward migration for systems integrators.

For more information contact Coherent online at www.Coherent.com.