Hurricane i- Ultrafast Laser Amplifier

Spectra-Physics, a Thermo Electron business (NYSE:TMO), has released the Hurricane i, an industrial version of their popular one-box, all solid state ultrafast laser amplifier. Designed in close cooperation with system integrators and end users, this ruggedized laser has been developed to support the growing industrial and OEM market for amplified ultrafast pulses. The Hurricane i delivers up to 1.25 watts of near-infrared output, with a pulse duration of less than 130 femtoseconds and a repetition rate of 1 to 5 kHz.

The Hurricane i incorporates a number of design features that have been specifically optimized for cost-effective OEM integration. For example, the one-box laser head itself comprises four separate, self-contained modules: the oscillator, regenerative amplifier, amplifier pump laser, and stretcher/compressor unit. This combination of state-of-the-art sub-systems and components delivers unprecedented beam pointing and power stability, as well as long-term reliability. This modular approach also enables very simple field service. Ease of integration is further simplified by the fact that all laser functions are controlled via a RS-232 interface, with no manual knobs or switches.

The laser is also equipped with a suite of extensive on-board diagnostics. The ability to self-diagnose operation in real time will deliver greater consistency in industrial processes and higher product yields.

The main industrial applications for this new rugged laser are expected to be in precision-materials processing (e.g. drilling small holes). A critical advantage of using ultrafast laser pulses in materials-processing applications is that they remove material by means of multiphoton ablation, which is a "cold" process – minimizing collateral damage. Moreover, multiphoton ablation can be used to process virtually any type of material. In addition to precision industrial applications, these Hurricane i lasers will also find use in demanding laboratory applications, where rugged reliability is a premium consideration.

Founded in 1961, Spectra-Physics is a global leader in the design, development, manufacture and distribution of semiconductor-based lasers and laser optics for a variety of end-markets. It offers a diverse line of laser products backed by a sales, service, and support organization located in more than 35 countries.

Thermo Electron Corporation is a global leader in providing technology-based instruments, components, and systems that offer total solutions for markets ranging from life sciences to telecommunications to food, drug, and beverage production. The company's powerful technologies help researchers sift through data to make discoveries that will fight disease or prolong life. They allow manufacturers to fabricate critical components required to increase the speed and quality of communications. And they automatically monitor and control online production to ensure that quality standards are met safely and efficiently. Thermo Electron, based in Waltham, Massachusetts, reported $2.2 billion in revenues in 2001 and employs approximately 12,000 people worldwide. For more information on Thermo Electron, visit http://www.thermo.com.

Spectra-Physics Lasers, 1335 Terra Bella Avenue, Mountain View, CA 94043. Tel: 650-961-2550; Fax: 650-968-5215.