News | June 4, 2024

G&H Develops Novel Lithium Niobate Pockels Cells For High-Performance Laser Applications In The Mid-IR Range

Source: G&H
Pegasus pockels cells
Pegasus pockels cells

Cleveland, US – G&H, a world leader in optical designing, testing and manufacturing, has unveiled its latest Pegasus Pockels cell solution. Responding to a critical market need, the optics company has developed a fresh Pockels cell design that offers the photonics industry anew,high-speed, cost-effective Pockels cell alternative to Rubidium Titanyl Phosphate (RTP) for near-and mid-infrared applications. 

The Pegasus series has been created to address the challenging wavelength range of 700-3500nm currently existing on the Pockels cell market. Built for fast rise-time and high repetition-rate operations, the high-damage threshold Pegasus Pockels cells are available in aperture sizes up to 9mm. This feature makes them ideal for high-power applications, ranging from medical laser systems to target designation and range finding in the military arena. 

Laser rangefinder and reconnaissance system
The cornerstone technology that drives the performance of the Pegasus Pockels cell is its Lithium Niobate (LiNbO3) crystal that is grown, cut, polished, and coated by G&H. Gaining a reputation as being “the better solution”, Lithium Niobate (LN) crystals are easier to manufacture compared to the complex growth conditions and processing required for RTP. At G&H, crystals are grown in-house at our facilities in Cleveland, Ohio, US. This 100% vertically integrated manufacturing capability translates into effective cost management, greater end-to-end quality control and shorter, more secure delivery times.

Finally, the high electro-optic figure of merit (FoM) associated with the new proprietary LN crystals represents an important quality and performance benefit over alternative Pockels cell options. This indicates a larger change of refractive index, making the crystal highly responsive to applied electric fields. High energy mid-IR lasers such as Er:YAG 2.94 µm, Er,Cr:YSGG 2.79 µm,Ho:YAG 2.10 µm and Tm:YAG 2.01 µm work seamlessly with the new Pockels cells line. Other commercial applications can also benefit from the capabilities of this electro-optical solution in fields such as aesthetic and ophthalmic surgery and military deployment.

G&H pockels cells
“It is rare for products with new capabilities to be launched in this long-established technology space.That is why we, at G&H, are very excited to offer this new Pegasus series of Pockels cells to fulfill a market need for lower costhigh, speed devices for the near and mid-IR”, says Dr. Nigel Gallaher, AO & EO Product Line Director at G&H.

The Pegasus Pockels cell series promises to deliver enhanced laser performance through its durability, fast rise time and high-repetition capabilities. The material availability, “made in the USA” label and cost efficiency only add to the value of this latest G&H electro-optic innovation. For more information, please visit our dedicated web page.

G&H is a world leader in optical design, testing and manufacturing.Headquartered in Ilminster Somerset, UK with primary operations in the USA and Europe, G&H is recognized for the breadth of its acousto-optic, electro-optic, crystal-optic, fiber optic, and precision optic products. G&H is the preferred source for OEMs in the life sciences, industrial, and aerospace and defense industries, with a history of quality and excellence that dates back over 75 years.

Source: G&H