C-WAVE Series

Each model of C-WAVE tunable laser is equipped with all optics required to cover the whole range available for the model. All tuning and optics adjustment is done automatically.

The available ranges between the different models are dictated by the choice of technology and pump laser wavelength. Each model of C-WAVE tunable laser is equipped with all optics required to cover all ranges listed for the model.

We employ several technologies to offer a variety of wavelength tuning ranges.

Continuous wave optical parametric oscillators (cw OPO) rely on a process referred to as parametric down-conversion in a nonlinear optical crystal, rather than on stimulated emission in a laser gain medium. As such, tunable cw OPOs unlock wavelength ranges that cannot be reached with other tunable laser technologies. Tailored to the desired output range, they can cover a broad spectrum in the infrared.

Titanium Sapphire lasers can cover the wavelength range of 700 to 1000 nm with very high output powers and rapid tunability.

Both technologies can be combined with Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) to cover the visible and UV region of the optical spectrum.

The main difference between our C-WAVE VIS models (operating at 900 to 1300 nm and 450 to 650 nm) and our C-WAVE GTR (500 to 750 nm as well as 1000 to 1500 nm and 1700 to 3400 nm) is the pump laser wavelength.

We distinguish between minimum output power and output power at maximum gain.

The minimum output power is a conservative output power specification valid over the entire tuning range. The output power at maximum gain refers to the minimum achievable power at the peak of the output power vs. wavelength curve.

Note that the achievable minimum output power and output power at maximum gain differ by more than a factor of two.

For further information on output power versus wavelength of C-WAVE tunable lasers, please refer to the typical power tuning curves shown in the “Performance Data” tabs – or contact us at info.de@hubner-photonics.com to discuss potential custom-tailored power optimization.

Yes. When a C-WAVE tunable laser emits a particular wavelength in the visible range, laser light at twice that wavelength is emitted from the infrared output port simultaneously.

For example, when C-WAVE is operated at 600 nm in the visible range, then laser light at 1200 nm is available in the infrared port.

C-WAVE GTR can in addition to the visible range SHG channel emit Signal (1000 to 1500 nm) and Idler (1700 to 3400 nm) at the same time.

Note that arbitrary wavelength combinations are not possible. Beside the tunable outputs from the visible and the infrared port, C-WAVE also offers access to the undepleted (remaining) pump laser beam from a third, separate output port.

C-WAVE IR and C-WAVE VIS are based on a sequence of nonlinear optical processes in two cavities, that we usually refer to as OPO and SHG cavity, respectively.

Pump laser photons (532 nm) are first split in the OPO cavity into pairs of photons of lower energy, referred to as signal photons (with wavelengths below 1064 nm) and idler photons (with wavelengths longer than 1064 nm).

The OPO cavity operates on resonance at either a particular signal wavelength, or a particular idler wavelength, while its counterpart is extracted for use or frequency conversion. As a consequence, when tuning across 1064 nm, the cavity mirrors are switched from highly-reflective to highly-transmissive.

While this switch of optics hardware is fully automatized, the transmission/reflectivity edges of the mirror coatings are not infinitely steep. Therefore, the range 1050-1080 nm usually is not practicable for highly-stable, single-resonant cavity operation. Consequently, specifications cannot be guaranteed in the 1050-1080 nm range, respectively the frequency-doubled analogue 525-540 nm.

Please contact us info.de@hubner-photonics.com  for any inquiries on custom-tailored wavelength coverage.

The fully automatic wavelength approach of a C-WAVE laser takes between 30 seconds and less than ten minutes.

This approach is optimizing the output power at the desired wavelength by several analytical scans of actuators inside the system, to provide optimum laser light output without further user-interaction.

If your application requires fast tuning, either in discrete steps or truly continuous, this can be accomplished by the different tuning mechanisms provided.

Standard fiber-coupling into broadband single-mode polarization-maintaining fibers is readily available for all visible wavelength tuning ranges covered by C-WAVE tunable lasers.

Please contact us for fiber-coupling options for the infrared wavelength tuning ranges or to discuss custom-tailored fiber-coupling options.

All optical components and coatings inside C-WAVE tunable lasers are operated at intensities far below their damage threshold, to ensure operation without any degradation over years of typical lab operation.

The typical lifetime of the pump lasers is >10.000 hrs.

Please contact us for any further questions on expected lifetime or long-term service contracts.

To ensure reliable operation within specifications, C-WAVE is to be installed on a vibration-isolated optical table and operated at ambient temperature in the range 20-25 C, with a stability better than +/- 2°C at relative humidity in the range 10-85% with a stability better than +/- 10%, and under clean air conditions (free of dust, laminar air flow box recommended).

This depends on the C-WAVE model we look at.

C-WAVE NIR, C-WAVE GTR, C-WAVE VIS HP, and C-WAVE IR HP are passively cooled and require no water cooling.

C-WAVE BTS, C-WAVE VIS LP and C-WAVE IR HP require water cooling for the pump laser unit and (in case of C-WAV BTS) the Titanium-Sapphire crystal. For these models, a water chiller is included in the delivery.