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Rapid-scan, ultra-broadly tunable mid-IR CW/pulsed laser system

MIRCAT-QT

DRS Daylight Solutions

For Spectroscopy at Speed, Without Compromise™.

Molecular spectroscopy applications benefit from rapid, high-SNR data acquisition. This demands fast-scan mid-IR lasers delivering high-quality light. Until now, rapid tuning has come with compromises. The MIRcat-QT changes this. For the first time, fast tuning and high-fidelity output is available from an ultra-broadly tunable, CW/pulsed mid-IR laser.

Incorporating the next generation of Daylight’s field-proven Quantum Cascade Laser (QCL) technology, MIRcat-QT delivers uncompromised performance in application-critical areas. This includes: tuning speeds to >5000 cm-1/s; tuning ranges to >900 cm-1; CW RIN as low as -145 dBc/Hz; peak power output up to 1 W [2]; average power output up to 0.5 W [2], and wavelength repeatability as low as <0.1 cm-1 [2]. With this tuning speed, MIRcat-QT can tune hundreds of cm-1 in just a few hundred ms [1],[2],[5]. In addition, MIRcat-QT provides a single TEM00 output beam, which enables high-efficiency fibre coupling.

MIRcat-QT’s flexible, modular design allows users to factory-configure their system for up to four pulsed or CW/pulsed modules, upgrade it later, or add a visible aiming beam [7]. And with Daylight‘s proprietary HFQDTM (High-Fidelity QCL Drive) circuitry, your QCL chips are protected. With a GUI and SDK command set included as standard, MIRcat-QT users can control: wavelength set-points; scans; power; triggering (and pulse width, duty cycle, and repetition rate in pulsed operation). MIRcat-QT brings new capabilities and agility to a wide range of molecular sensing applications including: process and quality control; remote sensing; imaging; and spectroscopy. Please contact us today to learn how MIRcat-QT, and our highly experienced team, can help you.

 

Features & Benefits:
  • Wavelength availability: 3-13 µm
  • Tune up to 1000 cm-1 speeds up to 5000 cm-1/s
  • CW[2] or pulsed output (up to 3 MHz/30% duty)
  • Ultra-quiet CW: RIN as low as -140 dBc/Hz
  • Superb TEM00 beam quality and low beam pointing allows fiber coupling
  • High output power for high SNR*: to > 1 W (peak) and > 0.5 W (average)
  • >GUI and SDK command sets included
  • Proprietary >HFQD™ circuitry protects your chips

 

Applications:
  • Standoff detection
  • Process control
  • Atmospheric research
  • Nanoscale imaging and spectroscopy
  • TIC, VOC, and GHG chemical and biological agent detection
  • Combustion diagnostics
  • Biomedical diagnostics
  • Imaging
  • Photoacoustic spectroscopy
[1] All specifications are: subject to change without notice; defined at the tuning peak of each gain module; after a 10-min warm-up; at the factory-recommended operating current.
[2] Depends on chip(s) selected. CW requires CW-capable chip.
[3] Typical value.
[4] Beam centroid change across tuning range.
[5] Fastest inter-module switching speeds may require water cooling. Please enquire.
[6] Specification scales with wavelength. Please enquire.
[7] Requires return to factory.
[8] Some chips can support pulses up to 10 µs, PRF up to 3 MHz, and duty cycles up to 30%. Please enquire.
[9] If laser is tuned for single longitudinal mode operation.
[10] GUI compatible with Windows® 10. Please enquire for other OS
Performance Specifications
Wavelength Availability Centre wavelengths from <4 to >13 µm
Modes of Operation Pulsed or CW [2]
Available Configurations Select 1, 2, 3 or 4 standard or custom laser modules
Tuning Modes Set λ, Step & Measure, Continuous Scans
Max Tuning Speed (Step) 250 ms step-&-settle time to arbitrary λ
Max Tuning Speed (Scan) Peak velocity to >30,000 cm-1/s
Wavelength Accuracy ≤ 1 cm-1
Average Power Stability < 3% (1hr)
Spatial Mode TEM00 (nominal)
Beam Divergence < 4 mrad at 4 µm (full angle, 1/e2 intensity width) [3],[6]
Beam Pointing < 100 µrad beam (depends on module) [4]
Spot Size < 2.5 mm (1/e2 intensity radius) [3],[6]
Polarisation Linear, vertical, >100:1

 

Pulsed Operation
Peak Power Up to 1 W (depends on module)
Energy Stability < 3%, standard deviation
Linewidth ≤ 1 cm-1 (FWHM)
Pulse Width[8] 40 ns – 1 µs, 20 ns increments
Repetition Rate[8] 0.1 kHz to 3 MHz, 0.1 kHz increments
Maximum Duty Cycle[8]</sup 20% (custom up to 30%)

 

CW Operation
Average Power Up to 500 mW (depends on module)
Linewidth ≤ 100 MHz (FWHM, over 1 s) [9]

 

Other Parameters
Triggering (Pulsed) Internal/external, external pulse input
Triggering (Scans) External wavelength step, scan start
External Control Interface[10] USB 2.0
Operating Temperature Range 15 to 30°C
Humidity 0 to 80% RH, non-condensing
Cooling Passive air (pulsed, up to 5% duty cycle)
Water (CW, fast scans, or >5% duty cycle pulsed)
Power Requirements ≤ 2A, 90 to 264 VAC, 47 to 63 Hz, single phase
Dimensions (L x W x H) 455 x 249 x 160 mm
[1] All specifications are: subject to change without notice; defined at the tuning peak of each gain module; after a 10-min warm-up; at the factory-recommended operating current.
[2] CW requires CW-capable chip.
[3] Typical value.
[4] Beam centroid change across tuning range.
[5] Fastest inter-module switching speeds may require water cooling. Please enquire.
[6] Specification scales with wavelength. Please enquire.
[7] Requires return to factory.
[8] Some chips can support pulses up to 10 µs, PRF up to 3 MHz, and duty cycles up to 30%. Please enquire.
[9] If laser is tuned for single longitudinal mode operation.
[10] GUI compatible with Windows® 10. Please enquire for other OS.
MIRcat-QT-Datasheet
Example tuning curves
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MIRCAT-QT

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