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High-End Picosecond Diode Laser Driver

Taiko PDL M1

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.

Internal Oscillator
Type Crystal locked
Operation mode Pulsed, burst or continuous wave (CW)
Repetition frequency range 1 Hz to 1 MHz in steps of 1, 2 or 5 times various powers of ten
1 to 100 MHz in steps of 1 MHz
Low jitter < 20 ps (FWHM), typ. 3-5 ps (FWHM)
External Trigger Input
Input voltage range -5 to +5 V (TTL compatible)
Trigger level (adjustable) -1 to +1 V
Required pulse width > 5 ns
Delay Trigger input to optical output: typ. 16 ns, jitter < 20 ps
Trigger input to sync output: typ. 6 ns
Frequency range Single shot to 90 MHz
Input impedance 50 Ohms
Connector BNC socket (female)
Synchronisation Output
Amplitude < -800 mV into 50 Ohms (NIM)
Pulse width 5 ns
Delay Sync output (falling edge) to laser output: typ. 10 ns, jitter < 20 ps
Input impedance (destination) 50 Ohms
Connector SMA socket (female)
Gating Inputs
Fast gate Pulsed or burst mode: transition time typ. 10 ns
CW mode: rise time typ. 5-10 µs (from 0% to 80-90% of max. CW emission power, wavelength dependent)
user selectable input impedance: 10 kOhms with pull-up or 50 Ohms pull-down
Connector type 1-pin LEMO socket – 00.250 series
Example: FFA.00.250.NTA
Slow gate Transition time < 1 ms
Connector type 1-pin LEMO socket – 00.304 series
Example: FGG.00.304.CLA
Remote Interlock
Voltage < 16 VDC
Loop resistance 10 Ohms maximum
Remote interlock connectors Lemo 00.304 and banana socket
Computer
PC interface USB 2.0
Operating system WindowsTM 8 / 8.1 / 10
Power Supply
Line voltage 220 / 240 or 110 / 120 VAC, 50 / 60 Hz
Power consumption 140 W maximum
Dimensions
Base unit 355 × 311 × 95 mm (w × l × h)
Operation Environment
Temperature range 10 to 40 °C
Rel. humidity < 80%

All Information given here is reliable to our best knowledge. However, no responsibility is assumed for possible inaccuracies or omissions.
Specifications and external appearances are subject to change without notice.

Taiko PDL M1 Datasheet
Taiko PDL M1 Technical Design
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