The Thorlabs QSL52A Q-Switched Picosecond Microchip Laser has a compact design and provides 500 ± 100 ps pulses at 515 nm with a typical average output power of 175 - 225 mW. The typical pulse train has 16 - 20 µJ of energy per pulse with a peak pulse power of >30 kW at a repetition rate of 9 - 13 kHz. Note that each laser has a fixed average output power, repetition rate, pulse duration, and pulse energy, but these values vary within the specified range from device to device.
The laser head features 4-40 threads for compatibility with our 30 mm cage components as well as SM05 (0.535"-40) internal threading on the beam aperture. This compatibility allows for easy integration of external optics to collimate the weakly divergent output beam. The output beam has an ellipticity of >0.65 (see the Specs tab for a typical beam profile), but it can be circularized using cylindrical lenses; the recommended setup is shown in the image to the right.
Features
- 500 ± 100 ps Pulse Duration
- 515 nm Center Wavelength
- 16 - 20 µJ Typical Pulse Energy
- Laser Head and Controller Included
Applications
- Material Processing
- Photoacoustic Imaging
- Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging
- Harmonic Generation
- LIDAR
- Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy
Thorlabs' Q-Switched Picosecond Microchip Lasers Systems are compact laser systems designed to provide a turnkey, alignment-free solution for picosecond pulses at 515 nm, 1030 nm, or 1064 nm. The compact microchip laser cavity design with a fiber-coupled pump laser produces a high-quality beam. Available with visible (Item # QSL52A), high pulse energy infrared (Item # QSL103A), or high repetition rate infrared (Item # QSL106B) output, these sources support a variety of applications, such as material processing or harmonic generation. For full performance specifications, please see the Specs tab. Each picosecond laser system includes a laser head and a controller that have integrated drive electronics, temperature stabilization, and safety interlocks. The laser head also includes a manual slide shutter which can be used to cover the laser aperture.
Laser Selection
In addition to material processing and harmonic generation, Thorlabs' Q-Switched Picosecond Microchip Lasers are also ideal for other applications, such as photoacoustic imaging, fluorescence lifetime imaging, LIDAR, and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, with each laser having unique characteristics suited to different applications. With higher energy 515 nm photons, the QSL52A laser can process material efficiently or serve as an excitation source for many fluorophores. Producing 35 - 50 µJ pulses with around 500 ps duration, the QSL103A laser has a high pulse energy and peak power, making it capable of high-volume material removal or efficient harmonic generation. For precision applications requiring a small mode-field diameter and high throughput, the QSL106B laser, with its higher 80 - 120 kHz typical repetition rate, is an appropriate selection. This higher repetition rate version may also be useful as a seed for high-power fiber amplification, allowing for more efficient and higher volume material removal processes. Note that the average output power, repetition rate, pulse duration, and pulse energy are fixed values that vary from device to device and cannot be adjusted by the user.