Optical Parametric Amplifier can be pumped at 1 or 5 kHz.

Press Release Summary:




OPerA(TM) is a low noise, femtosecond OPA that extends wavelength range of Ti:Sapphire kilohertz amplifiers from UV through mid-IR. Standard unit tunes from 1,150-2,900 nm, while Opera-VIS adds output from 400-1,150 nm, and Opera-UV adds output from less than 300-400 nm. A 1.0 mJ of pump energy produces more than 0.1 mJ signal and more than 0.05 mJ idler beams. OPerA is suited for femtosecond spectroscopy and nonlinear optic applications.



Original Press Release:



Coherent Introduces Automated, Low Noise OPA



Coherent, Inc. (Santa Clara, CA) (Nasdaq: COHR) introduces OPerA(TM), a femtosecond optical parametric amplifier (OPA) that extends the wavelength range of Ti:Sapphire kilohertz amplifiers from UV through mid-IR. Opera exhibits an unprecedented combination of high power, low noise, and automated performance, making it ideal for demanding ultrafast applications such as femtosecond spectroscopy and nonlinear optics.

Opera is presently available in three versions: the standard Opera tunes from 1150-2900 nm, Opera-VIS adds output from 400-1150 nm, and Opera-UV adds output from <300-400 nm. Opera can be pumped at 1 or 5 kHz. A 1.0 mJ of pump energy produces >0.1 mJ signal and >0.05 mJ idler beams. Opera also exhibits exceptional low-noise performance. Additional versions are currently under development.

"We've used continuum generation as the technology at the heart of the Opera because of the low-noise inherent with this method," said Marco Arrigoni, marketing director for Coherent, "Minimizing noise in the initial stages of amplification is essential to achieving low pulse-to-pulse noise. What we've accomplished with Opera is a high-performance, automated OPA that generates two powerful and quiet signal and idler beams. The addition of harmonics allow tuning from 300 to 2630-nm. In addition, the beam quality is excellent compared to other OPA designs. This makes it ideal for a multitude of challenging scientific experiments."

Although Opera is compatible with a number of ultrafast amplifiers, it is specifically designed to complement Coherent's Legend(TM) and Libra(TM) models. Legend and Libra can pump up to three Operas, while Legend-HE can pump up to five Operas. Pump pulse widths between 30 and 150 fs are readily converted into tunable pulses of comparable duration.

For unprecedented control and hands-off operation, when Opera is used in conjunction with Coherent's Libra, it becomes the first totally automated "seed laser-to-OPA" system. Users can monitor and adjust daily operations through a single laptop computer interface. This complete high-performance ultrafast laser system also places Coherent as the foremost provider of start-to-finish ultrafast systems where all components of the system are manufactured and supported by the same company.

Founded in 1991, Positive Light designs and manufactures advanced solid-state lasers for science and industry. Technical innovation and the market acceptance of lasers such as the Evolution, Spitfire(TM), and Hurricane(TM) have established Positive Light as the leader in pulsed diode-pumped and ultrafast lasers. In April 2003, Coherent, Inc. acquired Positive Light to enhance its market leadership in lasers for scientific and commercial applications.

Founded in 1966, Coherent, Inc. is a Standard & Poor's SmallCap 600 company and a world leader in providing photonics-based solutions to the commercial and scientific research markets. Please direct any questions to Marco Arrigoni, marketing director at (408) 764-4000.

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