General Information
Since their commercial introduction in the mid-1970's, nitrogen and dye lasers have established themselves as
powerful tools for applications that require high-energy, pulsed, monochromatic radiation. Unlike most lasers, the nitrogen laser offers simple, trouble-free operation at an affordable price, and it is an excellent source for UV light at 337 nm with high peak power.
Nitrogen lasers are excellent sources for general spectroscopy, laser-induced fluorescence and photochemistry, as well as in teaching laboratories. Because of their tunability, dye lasers may be used for a large variety of applications in the UV-visible region. For experiments in the life science laboratory, nitrogen and dye lasers can easily be fiber-optically coupled to a microscope.
When pumped by nitrogen lasers, dye lasers are tunable over a wide spectral range from 360 to 990 nanometers. Dye lasers equipped with frequency doublers are even tunable in the deep UV region from 235 to 345 nm.
PTI introduced our first nitrogen and dye lasers in 1987, and they have undergone continual improvement since that time. PTI has pioneered a whole new laser technology that provides high power and trouble-free operation at a low price. Since entering the field, PTI's Laser Engineering Group has accumulated over a century of experience!
Nitrogen and dye lasers from PTI have excellent performance specifications, they are remarkably reliable, and they are extremely easy to use!
A dye laser is always used with a nitrogen laser and a frequency doubler is always used with both a dye and a nitrogen laser. Many assume that the precise optical alignment of such high performance components would be a frustrating process. Quite to the contrary: the PTI laser family is made to fit together easily. The construction of the cabinets of the nitrogen and dye lasers and the frequency doubler are identical, and the acceptance criteria are very forgiving. By simply placing the cabinets together, optical alignment is assured. It couldn't be simpler. How rugged are PTI's lasers? The Naval Ocean Systems of the Public Works Center in Jacksonville, Florida, has one in their portable laboratory. This sophisticated lab on wheels is used to probe soil for petrochemicals and other pollutants, and it has been traveling all over the country for several years.
PTI's family of lasers include:
- Model GL-3300 Nitrogen Laser The pulsed gas laser that set the industry standard is extremely reliable,
economical and easy to use, and it requires only an inexpensive tank of nitrogen gas to operate--no costly
cartridges to replace, no frequent servicing or fine-tuning.
- Model GL-301 Dye Laser High power output, continuously tunable from 360 to 900 nm, at an economical price.
- Model GL-302 Dye Laser High power and ultra-high resolution tunable output.
- Model GL-303 Frequency Doubler Extend laser output into the deep UV region, from 235 to 345 nm.
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Model GL-3300 Nitrogen Laser
PTI's Model GL-3300 Nitrogen Laser delivers a crisp pulse at 337 nanometers with a hefty 2.4 megawatts of peak
power. With a pulse width of 1 nanosecond, that results in a pulse energy of 1.45 millijoules. As an excitation source or a pump for a dye laser, the GL-3300 has no peer. And you don't have to be a "laser expert" to use the GL-3300--you'll get the specified power with the specified pulse characteristics the first time and every time. No tweaking is needed to coax the expected performance from the GL-3300.
Operation is simple and convenient. Turn on the power, purge with nitrogen for 5 seconds, and PTI's GL-3300 will activate. An inexpensive cylinder of nitrogen is connected to the rear panel. Everything needed to control the nitrogen flow and pressure is built into PTI's GL-3300. Since the nitrogen pressure is low, there is no need for any special safety precautions.
Because higher repetition rates require higher nitrogen flow, gas usage is dependent on the rep rate. With a rate of 10 Hz and a use time of 4 hours per day, a typical tank of nitrogen will last about five weeks. There is even a built-in gas-flow interlock that automatically shuts the laser down if the gas supply is interrupted. The repetition rate may be varied from 1 to 20 Hz; PTI's GL-3300 may also be fired manually for a single laser pulse. PTI's GL-3300 can be synchronized to external instruments in a variety of ways. A sync pulse is available 1 microsecond before the laser fires. PTI's GL-3300 can also be triggered by an external signal. For precise event triggering, PTI provides an optional Optical Trigger which consists of a beam splitter and fast-rise-time photodiode.
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Model GL-301 Dye Laser
PTI's GL-301 Dye Laser is built around a single stage Littrow configuration cavity, providing continuously tunable output from 360 to 900 nm. The pulse energy at 500 nm is 250 microjoules. With a pulse width of 800 picoseconds and a bandwidth of 1 to 3 nm, PTI's GL-301 is perfect for general spectroscopy. After placing the dye in the cuvette holder, set the desired wavelength on the digital readout. The dye is contained in a standard 1 cm cuvette, and there is no need for stirring. For computer control of the output wavelength, a motorizing option can be purchased.
Accessories
- PTI PN# 022-5003: Motorizing Accessory for GL-301
- PTI PN# 490-0001: 1 cm dye cuvette
- PTI Laser Dyes
NOTE: PTI's Model GL-301 Dye Laser ships with one cuvette and a vial of C-500 dye (500 nm peak wavelength), which is used for factory calibration. Back to top.
Model GL-302 Dye Laser
PTI's GL-302 Dye Laser incorporates a grazing incident design laser cavity for high resolution followed by a
secondary amplifier cell to boost the power. The result is a very narrow 0.04 nanometer output from 360 to 900 nm, a pulse width of 800ps, and an energy of 220 microjoules per pulse at 500 nm. With PTI's GL-303 Frequency Doubler, wavelengths from 235 to 345 nm can be attained. Like PTI's GL-301, the GL-302 is amazingly simple to align and operate. After placing the dyes in the cuvette holders, set the desired wavelength on the digital readout. The dyes are contained in two standard 1 cm cuvettes, and there is no need for stirring. For computer control of the output wavelength, a motorizing option can be purchased.
Accessories
- PTI PN# 022-4002: Motorizing Accessory for GL-302
- PTI PN# 490-0001: 1 cm dye cuvette
- PTI Laser Dyes
NOTE: The PTI Model GL-302 Dye Laser ships with two cuvettes and a vial of C-500 dye (500 nm peak wavelength), which is used for factory calibration. Back to top.
Model GL-303 Frequency Doubler
PTI's GL-303 Frequency Doubler is used with the GL-302 to derive wavelengths from 235 to 345 nm. The Beta Barium Borate crystal allows continuous tuning in this wavelength range without the inconvenience of changing crystals. The GL-303 makes wavelengths in the UV possible by doubling the frequency of the input, thereby halving the wavelength. The output is controlled by adjusting the crystal incidence angle. For computer control of the output, a motorizing option can be added.
Accessories
- PTI PN# 022-8003: Motorizing Accessory for GL-303
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Specifications
