DPSS Laser Pumping

As the microelectronics industry continues to demand improved precision and speed in micromachining and marking applications, the lasers that serve these functions must achieve significant technological innovations.  Historically diode pumped solid-state (DPSS) lasers in the nanosecond and picosecond regime have used Nd:YAG (Neodymium Yttrium Aluminum Garnet) crystals that are pumped at 808nm.  This architecture has the benefits of a large absorption cross-section and broad absorption linewidth, except it is limited by the relatively high quantum defect between the 808nm pump light at the laser emission at 1064nm.  More advanced DPSS lasers are now using Nd:YVO4 (Neodymium Yttrium Orthovanadate) crystals and upper-state pumping with wavelength stabilized 878.6nm, 885nm, or 888nm diode lasers.  The upper-state pumping of Nd:YVO4 has a 30% reduction in quantum defect which reduces the thermal lensing and enables higher power and efficiency of the laser systems.

As the pioneer of high reliability single-emitter diode lasers and the market leader in wavelength stabilized products, nLIGHT continues as a key supplier of pump diodes across the DPSS laser market.  The nLIGHT pearl product family has served OEM’s in this market for over 15 years with power levels up to 110W at 808nm and 120W at VBG-locked 878.6nm.  The modern element product family includes a variety of configurations ranging from 20W to 130W at 808nm and 30W to 175W with VBG stabilization at 878.6nm, 885nm and 888nm.  We understand the importance of providing consistent beam quality, a stabilized wavelength and high reliability so that your systems can maintain the uptime that this market requires.