The Taiko PDL M1 is a high-end laser driver that can operate and monitor any laser head from the LDH-I Series. The strengths of the Taiko are its enhanced power capability, smart monitoring of laser diodes and ease-of-use, making it accessible even to novice laser users. Changing the emission wavelength is as simple as plugging in a different laser head and the Taiko will automatically recognize its operational parameters.
More Power
The Taiko PDL M1 features enhanced power capabilities to operate high power laser diodes. For example, the latest generation of multi-transverse mode diodes can now deliver average optical output power of up to 150 mW in pulsed mode and up to 200 mW in CW mode. Such laser diodes are available covering the whole visible range. Furthermore, the laser diode heads can now be operated in two distinct modes: the classic linear mode the new max. power mode.
In linear mode, both pulse energy and pulse shape are guaranteed to remain constant over the entire range of repetition rates for a given intensity setting. This ensures a very stable instrument response function (IRF) for, e.g., lifetime measurements and offers perfect linearity of average power for every repetition rate. The max. power mode allows reaching the highest pulse energy at each repetition rate. The exact amount of extra power that can be achieved depends both on the connected laser head as well as on the repetition rate at which it is operated.
Take full control
The Taiko PDL M1 interfaces with laser heads from the LDH-I Series to read out and display various operational parameters. These include central and current emission wavelength, laser head temperature, repetition rate, as well as an estimation of current output intensity. Every LDH-I head is calibrated during manufacturing with regards to its intensity / output power curve and temperature dependent wavelength shift. The Taiko PDL M1 is thus able to provide an indication of current output power and central wavelength during operation. Setting of the output power can be done either by relative percentage values of intensity or by absolute calibrated values of optical power (mW, W).
Flexible pulse patterns
The Taiko PDL M1 laser driver supports arbitrary internal repetition rates ranging from single shot to 100 MHz, as well as operation in continuous wave mode or external triggering. It can also generate user-defined burst sequences consisting of up to 17 million pulses with freely selectable burst periods. Using this burst mode is of great value for time-resolved phosphorescence measurements or other applications where larger amounts of excitation energy have to be periodically deposited into a sample.
Intuitive user interfaces
Control the Taiko PDL M1 either via its intuitive “one button control” local interface or remotely by PicoQuants laser driver software (requires USB connection). All laser parameters can be accessed and adjusted locally via a unique dial and push button combination that allows navigating an intuitive menu-based system on the Taiko’s color LCD display. Set power intensity, operation mode (pulsed, burst, continuous wave), and repetition rate with just a few twists.
The Taiko PDL M1 can also be operated remotely from any WindowsTM based PC through a dedicated control software with a user-friendly graphical user interface. The Taiko PDL M1 is connected to the PC via a standard USB connection. Local and remote interfaces are fully synchronised and can be used simultaneously. Both interfaces provide a read out of relevant laser head information such as current temperature, repetition rate, operation mode and estimated wavelength shift and optical output power.
Laser safety
The Taiko PDL M1 laser driver incorporates all relevant laser safety features, including key switch and remote interlocks, and complies with international laser safety regulations for devices of up to laser class 4 / IV.