DFB pro

Distributed feedback laser

DFB pro lasers use a Distributed feedback (DFB) laser diode. This technical solution unites wide tunability and high output power. The frequency-selective element – a Bragg grating – is integrated into the chip itself and ensures continuous single-frequency operation. Due to the absence of alignment-sensitive components, DFB lasers exhibit an exceptional stability and reliability. The lasers work under the most adverse environmental conditions – even in the Arctic or in airborne experiments.

DFB lasers provide a long coherence length, typically 100m, which is a key enabler for applications such as interferometry.

Three laser heads, designed specifically for DFB lasers, accommodate different diode packages: the compact DFB pro and its “big brother” DFB pro L integrate discrete diodes. The DFB pro BFY integrates diodes in a butterfly-type package.

Owing to their wide continuous tuning range, DFB lasers lend themselves particularly well to applications in atomic and molecular physics, gas sensing, phase-shifting interferometry, and continuous-wave terahertz generation.

For a selection of available DFB/DBR laser diodes, please refer to the online stock list. If you are interested in a wavelength not shown there, please inquire – TOPTICA can provide customized DFB systems at virtually any wavelength between 760 nm and 3500 nm as well as at 633nm.

Your Benefits

OEM grade laser system

Develop your products faster! 

The DFB pro is designed with OEM-integration in mind. It is compact and passively cooled, enabling easy integration into your optical system. 

Also passively cooled, the DLC pro, our high-performance laser controller, can be easily controlled programmatically from your own program. For faster software integration, our TOPTICA Python Laser SDK (Software Development Kit) allows for the easy control using the Python programming language.

Scan with confidence with mode hop-free tuning
Perform repeatable, high-accuracy measurements thanks to Mode-Hop free wavelength scans.
Mode-Hop free tuning is a key feature of the DFB pro. For phase-shifting interferometry applications, it means no more phase measurement errors caused by wavelength discontinuities. For spectroscopy applications, wavelength adjustment without discrete jumps means easy tuning to your spectroscopic transition.
Power and wavelength stability you can rely on
Perfected laser design for accurate, reliable measurements.
The DFB pro is designed with optical stability in mind. It is driven by our low-noise DLC pro controller and benefits from its high, accuracy current and temperature control. And DFB pro lasers are intrinsically single-frequency, thanks to their laser diode design. This results in a high laser stability for accurate, reliable measurements.

Applications

Interferometry
HeNe laser replacement
Gas sensing
Raman spectroscopy
Semicon inspection & metrology

Options

Fiber delivery
Fiber Delivery (FD) is optionally available with TOPTICA's patented fiber coupler FiberDock and a suitable polarization maintaining (PM) fiber. FiberDock provides highest single-mode fiber coupling efficiencies, easy alignment and at the same time highest stability. For most lasers, we specify a PER behind fiber of >20 dB with our Fiber Delivery option. Please also inquire about Long Life and High Power fibers as well as fiber splitters. Optical isolation is mandatory for fiber coupled diode laser systems.
Single stage optical isolation
Isolators are used to protect the laser diode from back reflections. This not only prevents damage to the diode but also ensures untroubled single-mode operation and tuning. Fiber coupling with angle polished fibers (both ends) requires at least a single stage isolator.
Dual stage optical isolation
Double stage isolators are needed if reflections from the experiment into the laser are expected. Fiber coupling with non-angle polished fibers also requires a double stage isolator.
Beam shaping
To shape elliptical laser beams into round profiles, either an anamorphic prism pair (APP) or cylindrical lenses are used. The compression ratio is set at the factory.
Bias-T
The DL pro (HP) has two modulation inputs that allow current modulation frequencies of up to 150 MHz. A Bias-T allows even higher current modulation frequencies of up to several GHz, depending on the diode. It is also suited for seed lasers of TA or NLO systems but not for DL pro HP lasers.
Locking and other electronics modules
For DLC pro, the versatile DLC pro LOCK option is available as well as FALC pro and PDH/DLC pro modules. With DLC ext a number of analog locking modules is available.

Specifications

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