Stable operation in the LWIR wavelength band
Reynard Corporation, a leading global supplier of optical components and custom thin film coatings announce a broadband IR laser output coupler. Output couplers are partial reflecting mirrors positioned on one end of a laser cavity, typically reflecting 90% and transmitting 10% of incident radiation for the long wave IR (8-11µm) spectral band.
San Clemente, CA – Reynard Corporation, a leading global supplier of optical components and custom thin film coatings announce a broadband IR laser output coupler. Output couplers are partial reflecting mirrors positioned on one end of a laser cavity, typically reflecting 90% and transmitting 10% of incident radiation for the long wave IR (8-11µm) spectral band.
High performance is achieved for single wavelength lasers where optical coatings are designed for very narrow band operation. As technological advancements have allowed for broadband tunable lasers, performance of the output coupler has degraded, especially in the infrared. Traditional coating materials and designs exhibit up to 10% variation in reflectivity in the 7 to 10.6µm spectral region. Such variations reduce performance and stability of laser output, making them unsuitable for broadband infrared tunable applications. Reynard Corporation has developed an all-dielectric output coupler design for the 7-11µm wavelength band that provides stable reflectivity of 90%+/-2%.
An all-dielectric approach reduces absorption in the thin film design, which stabilizes thermal effects and can stabilize the overall laser system design. Operation of the filter shows excellent performance at, or near, a normal angle of incidence. Reynard has the fabrication, thin film coating, and measurement capabilities all in-house to deliver a custom-sized and designed filter directly from specifications or drawings. Modifications to the design have shown theoretical equivalent performance in the MWIR (3 to 5µm) spectral range.
KEY FEATURES:
- Tunable wavelength laser output from 7-11µm
- All-dielectric coating material set
- Stable 90% ±2%reflectivity at near-normal incidence
“Reynard’s experience in working with advanced material sets has once again demonstrated a leap in innovation by developing a thin film laser output coupler design that enhances the performance of LWIR tunable lasers that can open the path to new and novel applications,” says Forrest Reynard, CEO of Reynard Corporation.