laser combiner reccomendations

[Jeff Spector]

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Greetings,
 We are considering purchasing a laser combiner for our lab. We'd like at
least 4 line (405/488/561/647). I am looking for any recommendations or
advice about them. It seems there are maybe 4 or 5 on the market but it is
a big purchase so we'd like to get all the info we can first.
Thanks!
-Jeff

[Rusty Nicovich]

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We've had a couple of the Toptica iChrome MLE laser launchers.  They are
pretty much everything you want for a typical fluorescence microscope laser
launch (4 colors, small footprint, TTL modulatable, tens to ~100 mW output
of a single-mode fiber, and self-aligning).  Was about $70k AUD last time I
bought one.

As with any of these, a single-mode output should be expected.  50-100 mW
output from the fiber across those 4 lines should be little problem (561 nm
might be a bit lower).  As soon as you get above ~200 mW (depending on the
wavelength) there's a big jump in diode laser price so try to stay below
that if you don't need to go to higher power. Some capacity for alignment
is necessary, whether it is a self-alignment routine or turning screws on
mirrors in the box.  The diodes will eventually die, so it might be good to
have a box that is compatible with replacements down the line.  Multiple
outputs is largely unnecessary without a really good reason.

Building your own is actually not too complicated.  If you're willing to
put in a bit of build time you can have your own custom one for ~$20k with
those 4 lines.  We published a description earlier this year:

http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0173879

with all of the necessary files, software, and build guide in a GitHub repo:

https://github.com/PRNicovich/NicoLase

Thanks,
Rusty


On Mon, Aug 28, 2017 at 12:14 PM, Jeff Spector <[hidden email]> wrote:

> *****
> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> Post images on http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your posting.
> *****
>
> Greetings,
>  We are considering purchasing a laser combiner for our lab. We'd like at
> least 4 line (405/488/561/647). I am looking for any recommendations or
> advice about them. It seems there are maybe 4 or 5 on the market but it is
> a big purchase so we'd like to get all the info we can first.
> Thanks!
> -Jeff
>

[James Kerin]

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**********COMMERCIAL RESPONSE**********

If performance, serviceability, and flexibility are key then we would
make a case for our MultiLine LaserBank.  This houses up to six solid
state-lasers, typically from the Omnicron LUXX and Coherent OBIS ranges,
but our configurable modules can also support multimode and single mode
lasers from other sources to accommodate specific wavelength or power
requirements.  The LaserBank can be fitted with a fibre output port at
each laser position, but also has two rows of dichroic mirrors which
allow beam combination into either an individual or multiple fibres.
Single-mode or multi-mode fibre ports can be installed and for full
flexibility we also offer a 2 or 3 position fast galvo output switcher
for time sharing the same laser lines between fibres for multiple modalities

https://www.cairn-research.co.uk/product/laserbank/

*James Kerin
Marketing Director
Direct: + 44 (0)1795 594507*



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On 8/28/2017 8:14 PM, Jeff Spector wrote:

> *****
> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> Post images on http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your posting.
> *****
>
> Greetings,
>   We are considering purchasing a laser combiner for our lab. We'd like at
> least 4 line (405/488/561/647). I am looking for any recommendations or
> advice about them. It seems there are maybe 4 or 5 on the market but it is
> a big purchase so we'd like to get all the info we can first.
> Thanks!
> -Jeff

[Scott Phillips]

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------------commercial interest-------------
Hi Jeff,

I don't know your application for wanting a multi-line laser launch, but 89 North offers a 7-line multi-mode laser launch.  It has lots of power, small footprint and is not expensive. The following powers were measured out of the tip of a 400um core mm fiber:
405nm - 300mW
445nm - 1000mW
470nm - 1000mW
520nm - 500mW
530nm - 500mW
555nm - 1000mW
640nm - 500mW

The unit costs just under $16K USD.  We are very excited to offer this laser launch, but it is not for everyone. We have done a great job with the mode mixing and our de-speckler, but the light is still coming out of a multi-mode fiber.  The units are pre-configured to keep costs down, so the 7 lines are set.  We can build custom units with more power and different lines, but it becomes a new product.  We can also combine other lasers into the pathway, if needed.

This unit is brand new, so we don't have a spec sheet up on the website yet.  Just send an email to me of to  [hidden email] if you want more information.

Thanks,

Scott Phillips
89 North
[hidden email]

[Dan Christensen]

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***************Commercial Response******************

There have been a number of requests over the years in this forum asking for recommendations or advice on laser combiners. Many very good choices are available on the market now and all have strengths for various applications. I hope that this note serves as a quick checklist for what to look for when fitting a laser combiner to any specific microscopy application.

>> Wavelength Requirement<<

- How many wavelengths are required? The 4-line combination of 405/488/561/640nm is very popular.
- What is the power needed out of the fiber at each wavelength?
- What modulation capability is needed (analog, TTL) at what frequency?
- Do you need integrated laser line filters?
- What polarization extinction ratio is needed out of the fiber?
- What short and long-term power stability is needed?
- Do you anticipate wanting to add additional laser lines after the initial purchase?
- Do you anticipate wanting to exchange laser lines after initial purchase?

>> Fiber Options <<

- Is single mode or multimode fiber required?
- If wavelengths of 488nm and shorter are used, special fiber treatments are available to extend fiber lifetime
- Does the fiber need to be removable from the laser engine?
- What fiber termination is required? (FC/PC, FC/APC, FC/AFC, FCP8, etc)
- Please consider fiber NA tolerances when designing your microscope
- Do you need to switch between multiple fibers or have light out of multiple fibers simultaneously?

NOTE: Fiber termination determines the angle and polarization orientation of output light and is very important to match when replacing existing light sources.

>>System Considerations<<

- Are physical internal shutters required for interlock or DPSS laser considerations?
- What user interface and I/O is required (GUI, MATLAB/LabView drivers, command line, RS232, USB, direct analog/TTL)?
- What are the thermal conditions of the environment?
- Are there certification (CE, RoHS, UL, etc) or safety (interlocks) requirements?
- Are there vibration concerns with fans or motors?

The TOPTICA series of laser launches are designed to be hands-off systems integrated into a microscope and then simply used as a workhorse. They are not intended to be modified by the user or to ever be serviced, but rather are the only laser engines available with an automated internal auto-alignment mechanism that provides stable, maximum power out of the single-mode fiber from delivery throughout the life of the system. This capability is the main reason TOPTICA laser launches are used by major microscope manufacturers and individual labs alike around the world.

http://www.toptica.com/products/multi-laser-engines/

Cheers,

Dan
585.869.8009

-------
Dan Christensen, Ph.D
TOPTICA Photonics, Inc.
1286 Blossom Dr.
Victor, NY 14564
www.toptica.com

866.266.5450 - toll free

Dan


-----Original Message-----
From: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Rusty Nicovich
Sent: Monday, August 28, 2017 3:39 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: laser combiner reccomendations

*****
To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
Post images on http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your posting.
*****

We've had a couple of the Toptica iChrome MLE laser launchers.  They are pretty much everything you want for a typical fluorescence microscope laser launch (4 colors, small footprint, TTL modulatable, tens to ~100 mW output of a single-mode fiber, and self-aligning).  Was about $70k AUD last time I bought one.

As with any of these, a single-mode output should be expected.  50-100 mW output from the fiber across those 4 lines should be little problem (561 nm might be a bit lower).  As soon as you get above ~200 mW (depending on the
wavelength) there's a big jump in diode laser price so try to stay below that if you don't need to go to higher power. Some capacity for alignment is necessary, whether it is a self-alignment routine or turning screws on mirrors in the box.  The diodes will eventually die, so it might be good to have a box that is compatible with replacements down the line.  Multiple outputs is largely unnecessary without a really good reason.

Building your own is actually not too complicated.  If you're willing to put in a bit of build time you can have your own custom one for ~$20k with those 4 lines.  We published a description earlier this year:

http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0173879

with all of the necessary files, software, and build guide in a GitHub repo:

https://github.com/PRNicovich/NicoLase

Thanks,
Rusty


On Mon, Aug 28, 2017 at 12:14 PM, Jeff Spector <[hidden email]> wrote:

> *****
> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> Post images on http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your posting.
> *****
>
> Greetings,
>  We are considering purchasing a laser combiner for our lab. We'd like
> at least 4 line (405/488/561/647). I am looking for any
> recommendations or advice about them. It seems there are maybe 4 or 5
> on the market but it is a big purchase so we'd like to get all the info we can first.
> Thanks!
> -Jeff
>