VILNIUS, Lithuania, Mar. 12, 2020 - Integrated Optics, UAB has upgraded the World's smallest 4-wavelength laser combiner. The new release is widely configurable, has a large selection of wavelengths and output types. A redesigned Break-out-Box accessory provides more functionality and durability when used in scientific setups. SM and PM fiber coupling with more than 50% fiber coupling efficiency is finally there too.
An online configurator has been presented to help customers in choosing the most suitable application-specific configuration of the multi-wavelength laser. The maximum of 4 wavelengths can be selected from 405nm, 450nm, 488nm, 520nm, 638nm, 660nm, 785nm, 830nm, 850nm, 975nm, 1064nm. Further extensions into the infrared are in consideration.
Aiming to Simplify Multi-Wavelength Setups
The MatchBox laser combiner includes 4 laser diode drivers, TEC driver, and digital control electronics, which allows smart control and diagnostics of the complete module.
The laser unit is designed as an OEM-dedicated electro-optics unit, which can be directly connected to a control mainboard and power supply of an instrument. This way the laser/detector unit provides unprecedented compactness and functionality. Thus, time-to-market and mass production of multi-wavelength instruments become much easier and faster.
For scientific installations and various experimental setups, the laser combiner is provided with a quick-start breakout box, which has conventional ports for control, power and safety arrangements.
The new version of the Break-out-Box is greatly ruggedized and features USB-C connection for power, which is compatible with the PD (Power Delivery) standard. Depending on the combiner configuration, the BoB is controlling the power supply to provide 9V DC power, which is sufficient for all types of single-mode laser diodes.
New MatchBox Control Software
The whole new control software has been released in 2019, which supports all types of MatchBox lasers. In case of the multi-wavelength laser, the software interface is automatically expanded to accommodate control of each separate wavelength.
The new software is a lightweight application compatible with Windows, MacOS and Linux operating systems. Visual Studio .NET and LabView SDKs are provided as well.
MatchBox series lasers (2nd edition) feature a Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter (UART) controller interface machine-to-machine communication. The pinout of MatchBox Combiner is actually an expanded version of a standard MatchBox laser pin-out. A 'break-out-box' is used for converting UART into USB or RS232 protocols, which is very handy in scientific and test setups, thus saving a lot of time in getting started.
Fiber coupling and beam shaping options
The MatchBox laser combiner has multiple output options, like free-space, SMA port, multi-mode fiber, single-mode fiber, polarization-maintaining fiber. Custom beam shaping like line generator or flat-top is also available on request.
‘Integrated Optics’ cooperates with the key players and cutting-edge startups in microscopy and flow-cytometry markets, providing complete optical units, where the MatchBox combiner is a single-box solution for all diode wavelengths. Additional DPSS or OPS lasers can be integrated together in order to build versatile and extremely capable multi-wavelength laser systems.
About the MatchBox platform
As the title hints, MatchBox is a compact yet powerful and multifunctional laser platform, the footprint of which is roughly the same as of a small matchbox (30x50 mm2). There are more than 200 different variations of lasers, including single-wavelength diode and DPSS lasers, multicolor laser combiners, passive Q-Switch DPSS lasers, which are all manufactured in a proprietary robotic manufacturing line of Integrated Optics.
About Integrated Optics
Integrated Optics is an ISO9001:2015 certified manufacturer of very compact laser sources for spectroscopy and LiDAR applications. Since 2012 Integrated Optics develops proprietary optics assembly method, based on robotics and unique software solutions. Proprietary laser assembly workstations are used to ensure the highest scalability of manufacturing, complete process control and fast adaptation to customer needs.