The Spectra-Physics Explorer® laser delivers reliability and versatility in a compact footprint through its innovative diode-pumped solid state architecture. The Explorer laser is easy to use and supplies excellent mode quality. Its nearly diffraction-limited TEM00 output beam allows for tight focusing and high spatial resolution. High reliability, high repetition rate, Gaussian beam parameters and superior pulse-to-pulse stability make the Explorer laser the ultimate economic solution for demanding applications.
The Explorer platform accommodates various gain mediums in one compact package. This provides the flexibility to optimize laser performance for both lower and higher repetition rates.
The first generation Explorer lasers are equipped with Nd:YLF as the active laser gain medium – advantageous for repetition frequencies from single shot to 5 kHz. For applications operating at repetition rates of 20 kHz to several hundreds of kHz, Vanadate is the active gain medium of choice. In the same compact laser footprint, the Explorer Vanadate models can generate up to 3 W of power at 1064 nm, >2 W at 532 nm, and >400 mW at 355 nm. The Explorer 532-2Y model is using Nd:YAG as the active gain medium generating very high pulse energies of up to 400 µJ at
1 kHz or more than 200 µJ at 10 kHz with a typical pulse width of 10 ns or less at these operating parameters.
The Explorer’s compact laser head and state-of-the-art power supply deliver exceptional versatility. Customers can interface with the Explorer L-Series power supply either through RS 232 software interface or via analog TTL control signals. Advanced circuitry measures single pulse energies or average output power. This extensive pulse monitoring enables BURST-Mode and First-Pulse Suppression, allowing pulse bursts with constant energies. In addition the E-Pulse™ feature provides constant pulse energy while applying random external trigger pulses. Sophisticated software algorithms and supporting multiple software command sets ensure straight forward product integration. Finally, the ruggedness of the Explorer system’s rugged design enables integrating the compact laser head into a motion control system to simplify complex optical layouts.
