The Prototype Engineering Lab develops prototypes and models making diode lasers usable in specific application fields.
With its PLS series, the FBH offers very efficient, pulsed laser sources combining in-house developed optical and electronic semiconductor components. The all-in-one device can be equipped with semiconductor components for 1030 nm and 1064 nm, but the system can be flexibly transferred to other wavelengths. It consists of a mode-locked laser with around 4 GHz repetition rate, an innovative pulse picker element, and an optical amplifier. The system delivers ultra-short light impulses at a wavelength of 1030 nm within an adjustable time range from 5 to 15 ps and provides freely selectable repetition frequencies, from the hertz to the megahertz range. Pulse peak performance is at more than 20 watts. Electronic control has also been developed by the institute using FBH gallium nitride transistors. As a result, short impulses can be flexibly selected from single to multiple serial pulses (burst mode) and amplified. Due to these properties, the laser source is ideally suited for application in materials processing, especially in connection with fiber amplifiers. All-in-one PLS 1030 is computer-operated in order to easily integrate it into various laser systems, thus ensuring stable and user-friendly operation.
The Ferdinand-Braun-Institut has developed and provides a broad range of pulsed laser sources based on novel wavelength-stabilized distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) diode lasers and fast switching laser drivers. The laser chip is directly integrated with driver unit, completed with electrical and programming control unit in a single housing. Pulse width, output power and repetition frequency can be easily adjusted by a computer interface, being saved in 3 varying user set-ups.
These systems provide an optical output power in the range of 100 W. Pulse width can be adjusted between 200 ps and 100 ns. Pulses can be triggered internally or externally with a repetition frequency up to 10 MHz. The combination of these values and the laser wavelength can be optimized for applications in fluorescence spectroscopy, medicine and mobile LiDAR-Systems (e.g. for autonomous driving, 3D object detection, laser scanning (airborne, satellite and terrestrial).
Based on an innovative FBH laser design (dual-wavelength laser), a compact system for Raman spectroscopy was developed. It allows in situ measurements of Raman signals, even outside of the laboratory. The system combines laser chip technology, optimized cooling and a flexibele control unit in a compact housing. Combined with a Raman spectrometer and FBH's measurement software, Raman signals can be measured based on the SERDS method.