C-WAVE Series

This needs a few explanations. 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 for any inquiries on custom-tailored wavelength coverage.

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. 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.

Yes. Please contact us for further questions on procedure and pricing of upgrading options.

C-WAVE tunable lasers are based on continuous-wave optical parametric oscillator (cw OPO) technology. While OPOs might be considered as light sources similar to lasers, the OPO principle relies on a process referred to as parametric amplification in a nonlinear optical crystal, rather than on stimulated emission in a laser gain medium. As such, tunable cw OPOs offer several advantages compared to conventional tunable lasers – wavelength versatility being on top of them. Not limited by transitions of a laser gain medium, the C-WAVE product line covers the wavelength range from 450 nm up to 3.5 µm almost seamlessly. Other features to highlight are an exceptionally low level of amplified spontaneous emission, and an excellent spatial beam profile and beam pointing stability.

This depends on your laser. C-WAVE tunable lasers require a high-performance continuous-wave and single-longitudinal-mode pump-laser source – like the Cobolt Samba 532 nm 1.5 W which is routinely used for pumping the C-WAVE low-power VIS/IR. Please contact us for any questions on compatibility and qualification procedure.

Note that 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 to discuss potential custom-tailored power optimization.