1. What package and connector options are available?

 

These lasers come in an industry‑standard 14‑pin butterfly package, with either fiber‑coupled output (standard: 1 m, FC/PC, 0.22 NA, 105 µm MM fiber, 900 µm jacket) or free‑space output.

 

2. How narrow is the spectrum and how stable is the wavelength?

 

Typical spectral bandwidth is ~0.07–0.09 nm (wavelength‑dependent), with SMSR ≥ 40 dB. The PowerLocker® VHG provides wavelength stabilization with < 0.010 nm/°C dependence over a broad stabilized temperature range.

 

3. What are the typical electrical operating points?

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• Threshold current: 250–325 mA (wavelength‑dependent)

• Operating current (typ–max): 800–1200 mA (typical) up to 1000–1600 mA (max), model‑dependent

• Operating voltage: ~1.9–2.5 V (typical–max, wavelength‑dependent)
  Always confirm the exact line in the datasheet table for your wavelength/SKU.

 

4. What thermal controls are required (TEC & thermistor)?

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• TEC current (max): 2 A

• TEC voltage (max): 4 V

• Thermistor: 10 kΩ NTC, Beta 3450

• Central stabilized temperature: 28 °C (typ), usable 20–40 °C; specified stabilized range ≥ 10 °C. Use a good thermal path and thermal paste; thermal runaway is possible if heat is not removed effectively.

 

5. Does polarization matter?

 

For free‑space models, polarization is typically >50:1.    Multimode fiber-coupled units are mixed polarization

 

6. What about beam parameters?

 

Free‑space beam divergence (typ.): V×H ≈ 3 mrad × 25 mrad (638 nm is ~3×11 mrad). Fiber‑coupled output is through 0.22 NA, 105 µm MM fiber.

 

7. What is the difference between vacuum and air-referenced wavelengths?

 

Because we tightly control wavelength accuracy and tolerance, it is important to specify the reference medium used for wavelength measurement.

Light travels slightly more slowly in air than in vacuum, causing the wavelength in air to be marginally shorter. To avoid ambiguity and ensure consistency, wavelengths in our datasheets are vacuum‑referenced, which is also the convention used by many spectroscopy databases.  As an example, a HeNe laser specified at 632.991 nm in vacuum corresponds to 632.816 nm in air. This difference does not indicate a physical change in the laser, only a difference in how the wavelength is referenced.

 

8. What are the key ESD and handling precautions?

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• Laser diodes are highly ESD‑sensitive; keep anode/cathode shorted when not in use.

• Use a static‑free work area, grounded wrist straps, and conductive containers.

• Latent ESD damage can shorten lifetime. 

 

9. What mounting practices prevent spectral drift or failure?

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• Mount stress‑free on a flat, thermally conductive surface with thermal paste.

• Primary heat removal is through the baseplate; inadequate heat sinking can cause thermal runaway and permanent damage.

   

10. Any Raman‑specific notes?

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• The lasers are wavelength‑stabilized across 0–100% power, which helps keep Raman shift calibration tight during power ramping.

• The narrow spectral bandwidth (e.g., ~0.08 nm typical at 785/830/976 nm) and high SMSR improve rejection of ASE and side modes in spectrometers. ASE bandpass filters are required.

 

11. What is the difference between vacuum and air-referenced wavelengths?

 

Because we tightly control wavelength accuracy and tolerance, it is important to specify the reference medium used for wavelength measurement.

 

Light travels slightly more slowly in air than in vacuum, causing the wavelength in air to be marginally shorter. To avoid ambiguity and ensure consistency, wavelengths in our datasheets are vacuum‑referenced, which is also the convention used by many spectroscopy databases.  As an example, a HeNe laser specified at 632.991 nm in vacuum corresponds to 632.816 nm in air. This difference does not indicate a physical change in the laser, only a difference in how the wavelength is referenced.