Tunable Diode Lasers

UV, Visible, Infrared - Digital Control - Wavelength Stabilization

Atom / Ion Laser Cooling & Trapping
Degenerate Quantum Gases
Color Centers, Microresonators, Quantum Dots
Quantum Communication, Computation & Simulation
Quantum Metrology, Sensing & Spectroscopy
Nanostructuring & Testing

Version 2018: for latest product information please visit our webpage
https://www.toptica.com/products/tunable-diode-lasers/

www.toptica.com

1Lithium magneto-optical trap
(R. Hulet, Rice University, Houston, USA).

CONTENTS

NV center in diamond (Hanson lab @ TUDelft &Tremani, The Netherlands).

NV Scanning Probe Magnetometry (L. Rodin,
Laboratoire Aimé Cotton, Orsay, France).

Centre for Quantum Photonics,
University of Bristol, UK.

Objective

Applications

3

Digital Revolution in Laser Control

4

Tunable Diode Laser Technology

6

FP, AR and DFB Laser Diodes

7

pro Technology

8

Linewidth, Coherence, Frequency References

9

Frequency Stabilization

10

Amplification & Frequency Conversion

11

Continuously Tunable Diode Lasers

12

AFM tipMW
antenna

NV detectsampleDLC CTL

13

Atom Laser Cooling & Trapping

Color Centers

Quantum Sensing

Quantum Communication

Specifications Continuously Tunable Lasers

15• Laser cooling• Magneto-optical trapping• Dipole traps and optical lattices• E.g. N-V, Si-V, Ge-V in diamond• Quantum optics• Spintronics• Magnetometry• Electrometry• Inertial & gravitation sensing• Entangled photons• Photon storage• Single photon conversion

Ion trap (R. Blatt, Institute for Quantum Optics
and Quantum Information, Innsbruck, Austria).

Quantum dot (P. Michler, Physics Department IHFG, University of Stuttgart, Germany)

Strontium atom lattice clock (Ch. Lisdat,
U. Sterr, PTB Braunschweig, Germany).

Holography principle for optical gratings(TOPTICA Photonics AG).

Tunable Diode Lasers

16

DLC DL pro

17

DLC DL pro HP

18

TOPSellers DLC DL pro and DLC DL pro HP

19

DFB pro20

SYST DL 100

21

Options Tunable Diode Lasers

22

Specifications Tunable Diode Lasers

23

High Power Lasers & Amplifiers

24

TA pro25

TA pro TOPSeller and Customized Versions

26

BoosTA pro

27

BoosTA

28

Specifications High power laser and amplifier systems

29

Frequency-Converted Lasers

30

DLC TA-SHG pro

32

DLC TA-FHG pro

33

TA-SHG pro and TA-FHG pro TOPSeller Systems

34

Options and Customization

35

Ion Cooling & Trapping

Quantum Dots

Metrology

Nanostructuring & Testing

SYST SHG pro

36

Specifications Frequency-Converted Diode Lasers

37• Ionization• Laser cooling• Quantum state manipulation• Single & correlated photons• Nanophotonics• Semiconductor lasers• Optical atom and ion clocks• Ultra-stable laser oscillators• High-resolution spectroscopy• Holography• Lithography• Interferometry

Single-spin addressing in an atomic Mott
insulator (I. Bloch, MPQ, Garching, Gemany).

Microdisc resonators and couplers (O. Benson,
Humboldt-Universität Berlin, Germany).

Ion trap with CCD image of fluorescing ions (R.
Blatt, University of Innsbruck, Austria).

ARCLITE LIDAR system, Greenland(photo by Craig Heinselman).

Degenerate Quantum Gases

Microresonators

Quantum Simulation & Computation

Sensing & Spectroscopy• Bose-Einstein condensation (BEC)• Degenerate Fermi gases (DFG)• Feshbach resonances• Biosensing• Near field optics• Quantum optomechanics• Quantum cryptography• Quantum teleportation• Photon storage & EIT• LIDAR & Guide Star
• Trace gas analysis• Spectroscopy

Laser Locking & Laser Driving

38

DLC pro39

Specifications DLC pro40

PDD 110/F, FALC 110 and mFALC 110

41

DigiLock 110

42Photonicals - Laser Diodes and Accessories
Free Space Optical Isolators
TOPTICA Product Portfolio - Completed Overview

44
45
46

Difference Frequency Comb (DFC)

47

Single-Mode, Single-Frequency & Multi-Laser Engines

48

ps / fs Fiber Lasers

49

Terahertz Systems

50

Tunable Diode Lasers Wavelength Coverage

51

www.toptica.com

3Convenience
The user can operate the digital controller
DLC pro via dials, buttons and a userfriendly touch display. The well-organized
PC graphical user interface (PC GUI)
software and a command line interface allow
remote operation via Ethernet or USB. The
DLC pro directly displays signals from theexperiment or the laser on the touch screen
and/or the PC GUI in x/y-, t- or FFT-mode,
reducing the need for additional external
oscilloscopes. As special feature, one canadjust scan parameters with multi-gestureson the touch screen, as if using a modern
smartphone. A software key activates theoptionally available package DLC pro Lock.
It provides a Lock-in-type locking modulewith two feedback PID channels. Complex
operations like laser locking are now as
simple as never before. For example,
frequency locking can be activated withthe click of a mouse or the touch of afingertip (“Click & Lock” and ”Tip & Lock”)
to locking points suggested by the
DLC pro. In addition, advanced ReLockfunctions are integrated as well.

modules FALC and DigiLock via an
external extension rack (DLC ext).
The unprecedented passive stabilityof the DLC pro simplifies the use of
single-frequency tunable diode lasers
dramatically. For example, frequency andpower drifts are suppressed, and modehopping is reduced or even excluded.
The DLC pro also comes with integrated
power stabilization and for some systems
with optional automatic alignment.

The DLC pro can also be combined withTOPTICA’s well-established fast locking

Convenient laser control via remote PCoperation: Users can easily set all relevant
parameters via the graphical user interface.

DIGITAL REVOLUTION IN LASER CONTROL
Lowest Noise and Highest Convenience
DLC pro - digital laser control
In the last years, external cavity diodelasers (ECDLs) have experienced atremendous improvement. Since its
introduction, TOPTICA’s DL pro leads thefield of tunable diode lasers, thanks to its
narrow linewidth, large mode-hop-freetuning range and highest vibration andtemperature-change stability.
With TOPTICA’s DLC pro, laser control has
entered the digital world! The fully digitallaser controller sets new benchmarks forlowest noise and drift levels. It provides
intuitive touch control and powerful remote
operation to run and frequency-stabilize allof TOPTICA’s tunable diode lasers:
DL pro, CTL, TA pro, DFB pro, DL- /TA-SHG pro and DL- / TA-FHG pro.
Experiments requiring a narrow linewidthor large coherence length as well as
setups needing remote laser control will
highly benefit from the revolutionary digitallaser controller DLC pro.

· All-digital controller for TOPTICA’s
tunable diode lasers DL pro, TA pro,
CTL, DFB pro, DL / TA-SHG pro andDL / TA-FHG pro· Extremely low noise and lowest drift· Convenient dials & multi-touch
user interface· Remote PC GUI and command control· Intelligent locking features

Precision
The DLC pro features laser diode current,
temperature and piezo drivers with
unprecedented noise and stability values,
boosting the performance of TOPTICA’sestablished tunable diode lasers.
280 pA/√(Hz) @ 1 kHz and 490 mA
with 30 kHz modulation bandwidth and
140 nV/√(Hz) @ 1 kHz and 140 V (small
signal modulation bandwidth 3 kHz) areworld’s best noise figures for laser current
and piezo voltage drivers.
Thanks to the lowest noise characteristics,
the DLC pro can reduce the free running

linewidth of a DL pro even well below
10 kHz. For example, a self-heterodyne
linewidth measurement of a free-running
DLC DL pro laser at 1160 nm with narrow
linewidth option, exhibits a fast linewidth(5 μs) of only 5 kHz.
Single-frequency diode lasers in generalcan exhibit significant frequency drifts if
current, temperature or piezo voltages
slightly change. With its stability values(< 3 ppm/K, < 140 µK/K and < 40 ppm/K,
respectively) the DLC pro sets new
standards within this respect. In manycases, the long-term frequency stabilityof a DLC pro driven laser system is so
excellent that active frequency stabilization(locking) is not required. All parameters canbe set reliably and with ultrahigh precision.
For example, one can directly dial in thelaser diode current with steps as small as
15 nA and the ECDL piezo voltage with
10 µV increments. We have integrated
high-resolution analog-digital converters(24-bit, 300 kHz) for fast and efficient
communication between the maincontroller, the laser and the experiment.
Find a more detailed description of the
DLC pro features on page 38-40.

1Beat signal [a.u.]

0.1
0.01
1E-3
1E-4
1E-5
1E-6
78

80

Frequency [MHz]81

82

A self-heterodyne linewidth measurementshows a short-term linewidth of a free-running
DLC DL pro (narrow linewidth option) of only
5 kHz.

The DLC pro sets new benchmarks: Intuitive control via touch display andexcellent noise and drift performance for TOPTICA’s tunable diode lasers.
4

79

www.toptica.com

www.toptica.com

DLC DL pro with the external extension rack (DLC ext). The DLC ext allows combining the DLC pro
with TOPTICA’s fast locking modules FALC and DigiLock.
5

FP, AR and DFB Laser Diodes
FP, AR, DFB or DBR Diodes
Fabry-Perot (FP) diodes are available
at many wavelengths. In an ECDL, theinternal resonator of the FP diode acts as
an etalon and contributes to the selectionof the external lasing mode. The internal
resonator is synchronized with the grating
movement by changing the diode current
simultaneously.

a DBR, the grating is spatially separated
from the gain section, and an additional
phase section serves to maintain modehop-free conditions during a scan.
Frequency tuning is accomplished bythermally or electrically varying the grating
pitch, it can span many hundred GHz.
ECDL or DFB?
Whether to choose an external cavity
diode laser or a DFB/DBR laser depends
on the individual application. DFB diodes
do not yet offer the wavelength range
accessible with Littrow ECDLs. Tunable,
narrow-band emission in the blue or red
spectral range still remains the realm of
external-cavity systems. An ECDL is also
the preferred choice for applications that
require a broad coarse-tuning range, or an
ultra-narrow linewidth below 1 MHz.

AR diodes with an antireflection-coated
output facet do not lase without external
feedback and their internal resonator
effects the mode selection much less.
The AR coating further improves thetuning properties and mode stability of an
ECDL. Important specifications for FP- or
AR-based ECDLs are the output power
available from the stabilized diode, theattainable wavelength range, the modehop-free tuning range and the typicallinewidth.

TUNABLE DIODE LASER TECHNOLOGY
Turning Laser Diodes into Diode Lasers

TOPTICA converts laser diodes into diodelasers, meaning high-end laser tools,
by integrating additional mode selection
elements as well as adding best-in-classdrivers and optics.
6

The grating filter, the semiconductor gain
profile, the internal laser diode modes and– if applicable – the external cavity modes
determine the lasing mode(s). Precise
temperature and current control as well as
proper matching of the components are amust for stable single-mode operation.

Wavelength tuning of an ECDLDFB and DBR diodes can be wavelength
tuned by adjusting the laser diode current
and/or temperature. To change the ECDL
wavelength, one varies the spectral
response of the filter, e.g. by altering theangle of incidence on the grating. Because
the laser always runs at the largest overall
gain, it hops to another longitudinal modeand emits at a new wavelength.

Grating
Internal modes

1.0

External modes
Selected mode

Relative Intensity

0.8

Gain
Overallmode
selection

0.6
0.4

A stock list with laser diodes including
all individual specifications in diode laser
configurations is available at www.laserdiodes.com
Compact and robust Littrow setup
The most common types of ECDLs
are the so-called Littrow and Littman
configurations. In both cases, a grating isused to selectively reflect a small range ofthe diode's emission spectrum back into
the laser chip. This optical feedback forcesthe diode into single-frequency operation.
In Littrow configuration, the first-orderbeam from the grating is directly reflected
into the diode.
In Littman configuration, the first-orderdiffracted beam is reflected by a mirror, andpasses the grating a second time before
being fed back into the laser diode. In
both setups, the main contributions to thetechnical linewidth are usually electronicnoise, acoustic noise and vibrations that
affect the cavity length.
Since the grating is only passed once, theoutput power of Littrow lasers is higher
than that of comparable Littman setups.
Moreover, Littrow lasers can be operated
with FP and AR diodes, while the Littman
design usually employs AR coated diodes.
If properly configured, the ECDL runs on
a single-mode of the external resonator,
i.e. the mode with the highest overall gain.

0.2

Fine-tuning of the laser wavelength isachieved by changing the length of theexternal cavity. This shift of the supported
single longitudinal mode the laser is running
on. A large mode-hop-free tuning range
results from accurate synchronization of as
many contributions as possible. TOPTICA’s
DL pro laser, for example, achieves largest
mode-hop-free tuning by simultaneously
varying grating angle, length of the external
cavity and laser diode current.
Coarse wavelength alignment is often
realized with a micrometer screw (optionallymotorized) while fine-tuning is implemented
electronically by applying voltages to apiezo actuator that holds the grating orchanging the laser diode current directly.
www.toptica.com

0.0
-100

-50

0

Frequency (GHz)

50

100

780

800

Littrow-type external cavity diode laser (left) and single-mode selection (right).

To find out on which external mode thelaser is running one must consider thegain and the internal mode structure of
the laser diode, the grating filter and theexternal cavity length.

00Relative intensity (dB)

In general, the two facets of the laser
diode form a resonator and determine
the (longitudinal) lasing modes. The wide
gain profile of the semiconductor supports
many modes simultaneously, each witha different frequency. Even diodes witha single longitudinal mode exhibit modehopping upon slightest variations of thechip temperature or driver current. The
result is an imperfect, spectrally unstable
output beam.

Mode selection
Superior diode laser characteristics – likenarrow emission linewidth, large coherence
length, precise wavelength selection,and tuning or stabilization of the emission
frequency – are achieved by introducing
frequency-selective feedback into the laser
cavity. TOPTICA offers two realizations oftunable single-frequency diode lasers. Bothmake use of grating structures to selectand control the emission frequency.
One is a grating-stabilized external cavity
diode laser (ECDL). It incorporates anoptical grating mounted in front of thelaser diode while a second resonator
forms “externally” between the diode’sback facet and the feedback element. The
other approach features laser diodes withgratings built into the semiconductor itself:
distributed feedback (DFB) and distributed
Bragg reflector (DBR) laser diodes.

Distributed
Feedback(DFB)
andDistributed Bragg Reflector (DBR) laser
diodes feature a grating structure within
the semiconductor chip. The grating
restricts the laser emission to a single
longitudinal mode. In a DFB diode, thegrating is integrated in the gain section. In

Relative intensity (dB)

Laser diodes
Laser diodes are well establishedsubcomponents in a variety of consumer
products, like laser pointers, barcode
scanners, or CD/DVD/Blu-ray drives. Their
success story is driven by the fact that they
are compact, conveniently operated, costeffective, and highly efficient. However, theemission spectrum of bare laser diodes isbroad, and the lasing wavelength is notwell defined.

Key advantages of DFB lasers are a large
continuous tuning range, and a highrobustness with respect to acoustic noiseand humidity. The mechanical stability
results from the absence of any alignmentsensitive optical components. DFBs arethus particularly attractive for applications
in rough industrial environments. Modehop-free scans of a few nanometers

are routinely attained. For measurementtasks that require even wider mode-hopfree tuning ranges, e.g. quantum dot
spectroscopy, the new CTL laser (pages
12-15) is the system of choice.

-20
-40
-60
770

780

790

-20
-40
-60
-80
720

740

Wavelength (nm)760

Wavelength (nm)

Laser diode with (red) and without (blue) external grating feedback.
The left graph shows an FP diode, the right graph an AR diode.

www.toptica.com

7Linewidth, Coherence, Frequency References

pro Technology
The pro technology provides best in theirclass lasers with an optimized optomechanical setup in one solid metal block.
They are robust and at the same time
widely tunable as well as user-friendly.
The revolutionary narrow linewidth ECDLDL pro has long proven its invulnerability
against temperature changes and acoustic
disturbances ever since. Its patented
design incorporates wire-eroded flexurejoints and a virtual pivot point allowingalignment-free wavelength selection andlarge mode-hop-free tuning.
The amplified TA pro and the frequencyconverted DL/TA-SHG/FHG pro systems
build on the superior DL pro. The TA chip

unit includes collimation optics and canhandle currents up to 10 A thanks to an
optimized heat conductivity. The proprietary SHG/FHG cavities are air-sealed
and allow for adjustment of key opticalcomponents from outside. If required, we
employ patented kinematic mirror mounts
based on flexure technology. They ensure
the highest stability of beam steering andare easily accessible from the top.
The new DLC pro controller gets the bestout of our pro technology lasers. It provides
lowest noise, best passive electronicstability, touch screen and remote control,
frequency locking and other digitallyenabled features. Together, they deliver

pro technology· Stability· Ease of use· Thermal and acoustic ruggedness· Hands-off operation wherever possible· Flexure joints wherever expedient· Internationally patented design(DE 1 2007 028 499, US 7,970,024)

that extra bit “more” that is required forleadership in instrument manufacturing orstate-of-the-art physics experiments. One
can focus fully on the task while the laser
will simply do its job.

Linewidth, frequency noise and drift
The Schawlow-Townes formula provides
a theoretical minimum of a laser’s linewidth, which can be very narrow in caseof ECDLs. In reality, many processes affect the optical path length of the laser
resonator and hence the laser frequency.
Current fluctuations change the refractive index and the temperature within thelaser diode. Acoustic noise and vibrations
directly affect the mechanical resonator
length. In an ECDL, temperature, air pressure and humidity modify the refractive
index of air in the external resonator. Processes that are faster than the laser frequency measurement itself add to thelaser’s technical linewidth. Slower processes will “only” lead to a frequency drift
betweensuccessive
measurements.
When comparing linewidth values, it isimportant to consider the time scale ofthe measurement.
Laser linewidth and coherence length
Laser linewidth and coherence length are
inverse proportional with a numerical factor that depends on the exact spectral line
shape. For a Gaussian profile, the coherence length is 132 m / linewidth [MHz] aslong as the result is smaller than the product of the speed of light and the linewidth
measurement time, i. e. 1500 m for 5 µs.

pro electronics (DLC pro)

Patented resonator design (master)

Optimized TA pro mount·A ll digital controller for TOPTICA’s
tunable diode lasers DL pro, TA pro,
CTL and DL-SHG pro· Extremely low noise and precise control· Intuitive and convenient·L argest mode-hop-free tuning range·H ighest acoustic and thermal stability· Latest
production technologies(wire erosion)· Modular setup· On-site exchange of pre-aligned
components· Optimized heat management· DC & AC - coupled modulation board

Linewidth measurement
In a delayed self-heterodyne linewidth
measurement, one splits the laser beam
into two parts. One part is frequencyshifted by an acousto-optical modulator
and delayed in a long fiber. Both beams
are then overlapped on a fast detector.

Diode (ECDL-type) intrinsic

Laser current noise

Air pressure
Acoustics, Vibrations
Piezo noise
1 ns

1 µs

1 µs

1000 km

1 km

8

Laser head machined from a solid
metal block· Accessiblefrom top with closed
laser head
· Wire erosion technology based· Independenthorizontal andvertical adjustment· Air-sealed resonator· Manufactured from one solid metal block· Mirror mounts and SHG crystal
adjustable with closed resonator lid· Higheststability against vibration andacoustic noise· Reduced long-term and temperature drift

Laser driver

Beat signal [a.u.]

Proprietary resonator design(SHG-unit)

DL prowww.toptica.com

lc
iBeam

DL pro locked with
FALC to HF cavity

1 Hz

1 kHz

1 MHz
1 GHz
1 THz
∆ν
Typical coherence length lc and linewidth ∆ν of TOPTICA diode lasers.

The resulting beat signal between thelaser and its delayed self can be observed
e.g. with a RF spectrum analyzer. 1 km
fiber length corresponds to a time delayof 5 μs and only frequency fluctuations
within this time contribute. The laser linewidth is 1/2 … 1/√(2) times the width of
the beat signal’s central peak as long as
the corresponding coherence length issmaller than the optical fiber length.
If the laser’s coherence length is muchlarger, an interference modulates the beatsignal and one can extract a linewidth
value by matching the modulation depthwith a parameterized model. Linewidth
measurements on longer time scales are82

accomplished by measuring the beatwidth of two identical lasers with a fast
detector and an RF spectrum analyzer, byusing a Fabry-Perot interferometer or bydirectly determining the coherence lengthwith a Michelson interferometer.

PerformanceFrequency references
Active frequency stabilization of a laser
calls for an external reference that serves
as a frequency discriminator. Atomic ormolecular absorption lines, spectral lines
of a frequency comb or wavelength meters
are used for absolute stabilization and driftcompensation. Relative frequency references include high-finesse optical resonatorsor etalons.

frequency comb 420 - 2200 nm
HFC

FPI

WSU-2 350 - 1120 nm
WSU-10800 - 1750 nm

Beamcombiner
To RF spectrum analyzer
or sampling oscilloscope

Delayed self-heterodyne linewidth measurement and typical result.
www.toptica.com

1 mm

Top
Mode

DFB
pro

Fiber delay 1000 m

79
80
81
Frequency [MHz]1 Ms

DL pro NL

measured
calculated(5 kHz)78

Piezo drift

1 ks

1m

DL proHP

Acousto-opticalmodulator

Patented flexure-based ultra-stablekinematic mirror mounts

1s

Main causes for frequency variations in ECDLs and their respective time scales.

Isolator, 60 dB

1
0.1
0.01
1E-3
1E-4
1E-5
1E-6

Humidity, Temperature

Temperature control

1 ms

HF input (80 MHz)
Laser Head

Laser current drift

Fast PD

CoSy 765 - 895 nm
Wavelength

Comparison of frequency references. The performance represents aspects like accuracy,
repeatability or achievable linewidth. Shown
are: Frequency comb (DFC) wavelength
meters (WSU), spectroscopy cells (CoSy),
Fabry-Pérot interferometers (FPI), and highfinesse cavities (HFC).
9

Side-of-fringe lock
One can stabilize a laser to a spectroscopic reference or the transmission of an FPI
with a “side-of-fringe” lock. Subtracting a
constant offset voltage from the original signal (“fringe”) such that the difference between the two is around zero with non-zero
gradient an error signal is generated on theside of the fringe. An appropriate locking
regulator adjusts feedback elements suchthat the error signal in lock is zero and thelaser frequency is stabilized to the corresponding side of the fringe zero-crossing of
the error signal.

incident on a spectroscopy setup. The
observed signal is demodulated at themodulation frequency with proper phase.
The resulting derivative of the spectroscopic signal forms an error signal withzero-crossing and non-zero gradient at thefrequency corresponding to the spectroscopy maximum. Again, a locking regulator
stabilizes the laser frequency, this time tothe top of the fringe. The modulation canbe applied to the laser diode current or justto the light of the reference setup using an
EOM or an AOM.

le optical phase locking is performed bybeating the laser with a second one or afrequency comb. In both cases, the error
signal generation is extremely fast and one
can fully exploit the performance of special
high-bandwidth locking electronics.

Linewidth narrowing & phase locking
One can reduce the linewidth of a laser andeven lock its optical phase to a reference
if the response of the locking circuit to deviations of the laser frequency/phase ismuch faster than the speed at which thesechanges occur. For linewidth narrowing,
one uses the Pound-Drever-Hall techniquetogether with high finesse resonators whi-

TOPTICA locking modules
TOPTICA takes pride in having the largest portfolio of locking units with outperforming characteristics: highest speed,
maximum comfort, largest versatility, lowest noise and minimum drift. Whateveris important and whatever locking task
has to be accomplished – the TOPTICA
solution is already there. A descriptiOffset
on of our locking modules can be foundvoltageon pages 38-42 of this catalog and on
www.toptica.com. One can also use theintegrated PID option of our wavelength
Linearmeters if a laser has to be stabilized
error signal
to them with relatively low bandwidth< 100 Hz, i.e. against drift.

Difference

To actively frequency stabilize a laser, thelaser frequency is compared with a set
value, and a feedback circuit corrects any
deviations from this set value. Besides theaccuracy or the stability of the frequency
reference, an important parameter is therate of correction – in other words the
bandwidth of the control loop. It is limited by the time required for the frequency
comparison and the design of the feedback circuit, i. e. the used regulator modules and the feedback elements. For active
linewidth narrowing or phase locking, oneeven has to consider the lengths of the optical beam path and the cables. Operation
convenience strongly favors digital locking.

Amplification & Frequency Conversion

Original signal

Frequency Stabilization

Modulation (t)DigiLock 110

PID regulator,
lock-in error
signal generator
all-digital, low
noise, convenient

PID regulator,
lock-in/PDH error
signal generator
versatile digital
locking solution

Main application

spectroscopy lockallSide-of-fringe









Top-of-fringe
fast, super fast with
PDD

with PDD

with PDD

super fast with
PDD
≈ 45 MHzSpecials

Derivative

DLC pro Lock*
Description / Type

Pound-Drever-Hall (PDH)

slow with PDD

Max. regulator bandwidth≈ 30 kHz≈ 10 MHz

11 Hz .. 30 kHz

17 Hz .. 25 MHz

Signal analysis

FFT

Relock mechanisms

Computer controlModulation frequency

High bandwidth output
No. of feedback channels*software license for DLC pro

2

FALC 110Output (t)Derivative

DifferenceLinearerror signal

Modulation (t)Offsetvoltage

Original Signal

Top-of-fringe lockTo lock to the maximum of a spectroscopic
signal (“top-of-fringe locking”), a signal
generator modulates the laser frequency

Original Signal

Original signal

Principle of side-of-fringe (left) and top-of-fringe locking (right).

mFALC

PID 110

PDD 110/F

PID regulator

mixing PID
regulator

PID regulator

PDH error signal
generator

fast, analog,
for experts

fast, analog,
for experts

analog, slow

linewidth
narrowingphase locking

side of fringe
spectroscopy

Output (t)≈ 45 MHzkHz .. 100 kHz

analog, highbandwidth
PDH locking, FM or
modulation transfer
spectroscopy

Amplifying laser diodes
Specially shaped semiconductor opticalamplifiers, or Tapered Amplifiers (TAs),serve to increase the power available
from single-mode diode lasers in a
Master Oscillator Power Amplifier (MOPA)
configuration. The master laser beam iscoupled into the single-mode channelof the TA chip, which mainly acts as a
spatial mode filter. In the subsequent
tapered section, this “perfect” beam isfurther amplified in single pass while freely
diverging in the tapered plane but being
confined in the orthogonal plane.
After exiting the large AR-coated output
facet of the amplifier chip, this light canbe shaped again into a high-quality beamwith similar spectral quality as before.
Typically, a small-signal gain of up to 20 dB
and maximum output levels of up to 3.5 W
can be achieved.
TOPTICA is constantly working together
with renowned partners on TA chipdevelopment. The main aims of thisinitiatives are:• to provide TAs chips at new wavelengths• to improve the output power of TA chips• to maintain the availability of TA chips
Examples for successful developments
are the extension of the NIR-A wavelength
limit from 1083 nm to 1357 nm by several
novel TA chips with multi-Watt output
power, the introduction of a new TA chip
for amplification around 690 nm and there-establishment of TA chips that reliably
provide > 500 mW at 670 nm. TOPTICA’shigh power diode lasers are presented on
pages 24-29.

Entrance facet,
AR coated

Injected beamSingle-mode
channelTaperedamplifierwith FALC, DigiLock,
DLC pro Lock, PID≈ 7 MHz12 - 35 MHz**









2 (+1)

22

Tapered gain region


1

n.a.

Output facet,
AR coated

Geometry of a tapered amplifier chip.

Amplifier chip mounted on TOPTICA’s
proprietary heat sink.

Frequency conversion
Despitetheimpressive
success
story of semiconductor lasers, somewavelength or power regions cannot
be directly accessed with current laser
diode technology. Nonlinear frequency
conversion techniques close these gaps.
TOPTICA’s frequency-converted laser
systems (pages 30-37) generate tunable
cw laser radiation in the DUV, UV, blue,
green, yellow, orange, and red spectral
ranges. We take pride in providing highest
power levels with unprecedented stability.
Second Harmonic Generation (SHG)
The SHG process can be explained in two
ways. In the wave picture, the fundamental
electromagnetic wave with frequency ω1drives the polarization of a non-linear optic(NLO) crystal. Due to the non-linearity, thepolarization oscillates also at the “secondharmonic” frequency ω2=2·ω1.
This causes the emission of a coherent
electromagnetic wave at the frequency
ω2. In the photon picture, two photons of
the fundamental laser wavelength λ1 areconverted inside the NLO crystal into one
photon with half the original wavelength
λ2=0.5·λ1. The SHG efﬁciency increases
with the fundamental power, the nonlinearity of the utilized crystal and proper
phase matching.
Phase matching: n(λ1) = n(λ2)
Phase matching implies that the refractive
indices n(λ) of the fundamental and thefrequency-converted light are equal within
the NLO crystal. This leads to a constructive
interference of second-harmonic partial
waves generated at different positions
within the crystal along the direction oflight propagation (wave picture). It also
guarantees momentum conservation:
Two photons of momentum p1 = n(λ1)·h/λ1
are converted into one photon of
momentum p2= n(λ2)·h/λ2 =2·p1. Dispersion
usually prevents phase matching.

Resonant enhancement
TOPTICA’s SHG systems use acompact rugged bow-tie resonator with
optimized mirror coatings to enhance thefundamental laser power resonantly by afactor of 50 to 400. For this, the resonator
length has to be actively stabilized withrespect to the fundamental wavelength.
Employing the Pound-Drever-Hall method
allows for tight locking with high longterm stability and guarantees high powerwith lowest noise figures. Together withour best-of selection of NLO crystals, weachieve highest conversion efficiencies
and easiest handling in the market.

Principle of Second Harmonic Generation (SHG).

Principle of Fourth Harmonic Generation (FHG).

Fourth Harmonic Generation (FHG)
Fourth harmonic generation quadruples
the frequency of an electromagnetic
wave. TOPTICA’s FHG systems use twoconsecutive SHG stages in one laser head.
In total, four photons of the fundamental
laser with frequency ω1 are converted
into two photons with frequency ω2=2·ω1
and then into one photon with frequency
ω4=2·ω2=4·ω1 and wavelength λ4=0.25·λ1.
By this method, we have demonstrated
cw laser radiation down to 190 nm (1) withmore than 15 mW at 193 nm (2).
Intensity monitor
photodiodePhotodiode forcavity stabilization

Blue output
NLO crystal
Piezo

Resonant doubling
cavitySecond Harmonic Generator (sketch).

**5- 70 MHz versions available
1

10

But it can be achieved using birefringent
crystals and different polarizations of
the light waves. Depending on crystal
type and operating wavelength, one canfine-tune the phase matching by proper
adjustment of the crystal temperature or
the angle between crystal axis and lightpropagation.

www.toptica.com

www.toptica.com

Scholz et al., Optics Express 20, 18659 (2012 )2

Scholz et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 103, 051114 (2013)11

DLC CTL
Continuously Tunable Laser
High resolution
Motorized coarse tuning and scanning
happens with steps down to 0.3 pm insize. While individual steps can be seenin slow scans with a highly sensitive
measurement, above a certain scan
speed, scans are smooth. The maximum
scan speed is 10 nm/s. If even higher
resolution is desired, piezo sans canbe performed across more than 500
motor steps. The piezo is addressedwith 24 bits resolution, and the smallest
piezo step size is smaller than 5 kHz.

Low noise & drift
Narrow linewidth as well as low noiseand drift, are important requisites forhigh resolution and repeatable spectral
measurements. The linewidth of the CTL
is smaller than 10 kHz (measured withdelayed self-heterodyne setup with 5 µs
delay) and allows highest resolution,
while the completely digital electronics
DLC pro offers the lowest drifts ofdiode current, temperature and piezo
voltage commercially available – allowing
for excellent stability and repeatability.

For even more precise and highbandwidth modulation or regulation,
direct access via a safe modulation
circuit in the laser head offers modulation
bandwidths of approx. 100 MHz. Utilizing
this input, it is possible to phase lock or
stabilize CTL down to the Hz level.

Examplary measurements of the passive
frequency stability and the linewidth of
the DLC CTL laser system are shown on
pages 14 and 15.

CONTINUOUSLY TUNABLE DIODE LASERS

Laser system DLC CTL: The mode-hop-freewidely tunable laser is equipped with TOPTICA’s
all digital controller DLC pro.

Key Features· Wide mode-hop-free tuning: 		
Up to 110 nm· High resolution:
Step size as small as 5 kHz· Low noise & drift:
Linewidths below 10 kHz

Mode-hop-free tuning across the full diode spectrum· Total touch, knob & remote control:
All digital DLC pro – hands off· Reliable: SMILE & FLOW

Wide mode-hop-free tuning
Our Continuously Tunable Lasers (CTLs)
scan smoothly without any modehopping over very wide ranges. Generally, wide mode-hop-free tuning requires
excellent mechanical design and perfectalignment – the optical resonator has tobe stable on a nm scale. Laser systems
with passive resonator design can only

achieve mode-hop-free tuning across a
few nm up to a few 10 nm.
In order to achieve wider and guaranteed
mode-hop-free tuning – even across thefull gain spectrum of the diode – not only
excellent mechanical design is essential,
but also active control is required.
The unique SMILE technology (Single
Mode Intelligent Loop Engine, patentpending)
ensuresmode-hop-free
operation across the complete gain
spectrum of the diode.
The active control loop analyzes several
signals in the laser head and optimizes
the involved tuning elements. WithTOPTICA’s SMILE, no mode-hopping
occurs.
50

1640

45

> 100 nm mode-hop-free tuning40
Laser output power [mW]1620

Wavelength [nm]

1600
1580
1550.640

1560

1550.635
1550.630

1540

1550.625µ-steps < 1 pm

1550.620

1520

30

CTL during scan
CTL scan with PowerLock

25
20
15
10

Max deviation from set power:
0.035 mWpp, σ=0.02%

501550.615
101520 1540 1560 1580 1600 1620 1640
Wavelength [nm]Motorized mode-hop-free tuning over more than 100 nm. Microsteps (< 1 pm) are visible for very
slow scan speeds. Piezo scans over > 30 GHz are possible with < 10 kHz step size.

Output power as a function of the wavelengthof the CTL 1550. The smooth power variation of
only ~20 % over the whole specified tuning range
can be reduced to below 0.1 % with PowerLock.

1550.610

1500
0

12

35

100

200

300
Time [s]

0

2

400

4

6

500

8

600

www.toptica.com

High resolution spectrum of iodine measured with CTL 950 from 915 to 985 nm. The zoom shows the immense resolution.
With piezo scanning more than two additional x500 zooms are possible to measure even finer features and resonances.
www.toptica.com

13

DLC CTL
Continuously Tunable Laser
Total touch, knob & remote control
The CTL series lasers are operated withTOPTICA’s all digital and versatile DLC
pro diode laser controller. This ensures
not only flexibility and future compatibility,
but also lowest noise and drift (digital
signals do not drift) and convenient
operation via touch screen, knobs andremote control. Remote control of thelaser operation is possible via USB and
TCP/IP, either with a PC graphical userinterface or by integrating the DLC pro
into customers’ software via a powerfulcommand language.

Reliable – hands-off
The DLC CTL is a hands-off laser systemthat requires no alignment or maintenance.
The cavity is optically closed and stableby design, usually without the necessityof readjusting movable parts for cavity
optimization.
If ever required, the integrated FLOW
feature (Feedback Light Optimization
Wizard) optimizes the cavity upon thetouch of a button. This optimization
reestablishes stable and mode-hop-free
operation across the complete tuning
range. It can be performed in the field (noshipping back to the factory is necessary).
Due to the excellent and innovative patentpending design of the CTL, activation of
the FLOW will only be necessary if thelaser has experienced large mechanicalshock or temperature changes. Together
with the SMILE, the CTL is a worry-lessand hands-off laser system ready for use
when you are.

Specifications
CTL 950

CTL 1050

CTL 1320

CTL 1470

CTL 1500

CTL 1550915 - 985 nm

1020 - 1070 nm

1290 - 1350 nm

1420 - 1530 nm

1460 - 1570 nm

1530 - 1620 nm

Absolute accuracy< 100 pm

< 110 pm

< 130 pm

< 140 pm

< 150 pm

< 150 pm

Relative accuracy< 10 pm< 10 pm< 10 pm< 10 pm< 10 pm< 10 pm

Typ linewidth (5 µs)< 10 kHz< 10 kHz< 10 kHz< 10 kHz< 10 kHz< 10 kHzPower at Max> 80 mW> 50 mW> 50 mW> 40 mW> 50 mW> 50 mW

Power at Edges> 40 mW> 25 mW> 30 mW> 20 mW> 25 mW> 30 mW

Max. scan speed

10 nm/s

10 nm /s

10 nm/s

10 nms/s

10 nm/s

10 nm/s

Motor step size

5 pm

6 pm

7 pm

8 pm

8 pm

8 pm

Micro step size (average)

0.3 pm0.4 pm

0.5 pm

0.5 pm

0.5 pm

0.5 pmPiezo scan

55 GHz45 GHz40 GHz35 GHz35 GHz35 GHzPiezo step size

< 10 kHz< 10 kHz< 5 kHz< 5 kHz< 5 kHz< 5 kHz

Wavelength

Top: Average of 100 individually centered beat measurements with 50 ms sweep time each:
Beat width ≈ 100 kHz. Bottom: Change of center frequency in 70 seconds: Drift < 5 MHz.

* Wavelength range will be continuously expanded. Please inquire for your wavelength of choice.

0-10

Courtesy Kippenberg group, EPFL

(a)

(a)

(b)

(b)

-20

Beat Signal [a.u.]

User interfaces
Two comfortable user interfaces areprovided for intuitive operation and control.
A touch screen with four additional knobs
shows the most important informationand offers direct access to all necessarycontrols. Remote control via computer/
ethernet is possible with the suppliedcomprehensive and powerful PC graphicaluser interface.

Specifications
Continuously Tunable Lasers

Class 3B Laser Product EN 60825-1:2007. Visible or insible laser radiation.
Avoid direct exposure to beam. Caution - Class 3B visible or insivisble laser
radiation when open. Avoid exposure to the beam. Magnetic fields may bepresent which may affect the operation of certain pacemakers.

1Å

-30

1Å

-40
-50

(c)

-60

(c)

-70

More than motor control: The DLC CTL digital control electronics features also all functionality of the
DLC pro for DL pro lasers, including the optional DLC pro Lock for frequency stabilization.

1 µm-2.5 -2.0 -1.5 -1.0 -0.5 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5
Beat Frequency [MHz]Measurement of the CTL 950 linewidth with aself-heterodyne beat experiment with a 1 km
(5 µs) delay fiber. The result is a linewidth ofapproximately 5 kHz.

1 µm

The CTL is ideally suited to investigate microcavites. Such cavities are useful for sensing
applications, investigating quantum-mechanicalcoupling, and to create microscopic frequency
combs.

Another important application for CTLs arequantum dots. These act as artificial atoms
in in solid-state systems. Unlike real atoms,
semiconductor quantum dots can be grown
and placed in a controlled fashion, e.g. inphotonic crystal cavities and even enable cavity
QED experiments in the solid state (taken withpermission from Peter Lodahl et al., Reviews ofmodern physics 87, p. 347 (2015)).

Future readyThe digital nature and the future-oriented
design of DLC pro allow for easy integrationof new features. Already, micro-steps andpower stabilization have been added by
the last firmware upgrades, and we keep
adding improvements and new featurescontinuously.
14

www.toptica.com

www.toptica.com

15

DLC DL pro
Ultra-Stable Tunable Diode Laser with Digital Control
The DLC DL pro unites TOPTICA’s
well-established DL pro laser head with its
patented resonator design and the alldigital control electronics DLC pro. Owing
to its low noise and drift values, theDLC DL pro achieves even narrower
linewidths and better stability.
At the same time, the system provides
a most convenient user interface withintuitive touch, dial and total remotecontrol. For detailed specifications of the
DLC pro, please see page 38-40. Just likethe first laser of the pro series, the DL pro,demonstrated how much even a a wellestablished instrument like the DL 100
can be further improved, the first pro laser
control electronics, the DLC pro, leads to ahuge improvement in performance.
Options

TUNABLE DIODE LASERS· Single and double-stage isolators(page 45)

External Cavity and DFB Diode Lasers· Fiber-coupled output with FiberDock(single-mode, polarization-maintaining)

10

1

0.1
400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

Wavelength [nm]

16

1600

2000

3000

All lasers of the pro series may now be
driven with the DLC pro and hence operated not with its intuitive touch screen andturn-key interface but also from a remotecontrol computer using the provided
software or the powerful commandlanguage. The laser control electronics
has successfully arrived in the digital age
and the DLC pro outperforms its analog
counterpart SYST DC 110 system, which
remains available as economic solution.
www.toptica.com· Motorized wavelength selection with anaccuracy of approximately ± 0.2 nm(for most wavelengths, page 22)

Measured beat

Fit Lorenzian lineshape
FWHM beat 18 kHz
laser linewidth 9 kHz

0.1
0.01
1E

-3

-200

-100

0

Detuning [kHz]

100

200

Measured beat signal of two free-running DL pro
at 1160 nm. 100 scans with sweep times of
50 ms have been averaged. The two laser
systems are of the same built and contributeequally to the residual noise.
www.toptica.com

Key Features· Available between 369 nm .. 1770 nm· All-digital, intelligent control
electronics DLC pro· Power stabilization to external signal
and pressure compensation included· Ultra-stable patented resonator
design (DE 10 2007 028 499 andUS 7970024)

20
16
12
8
4

· 20 - 50 GHz mode-hop-free tuning· Convenient alignment-free coarsetuning from outside the laser head
· Fast current AC & DC modulation
Check our regularly updated diode stock list:
www.laser-diodes.com

32

780.212830

780.212628

780.2124

Drift approx.
300 MHz780.212224

780.212022

780.211801

26

ΔT=10 K

2

3

4

Excitation frequency [kHz]5

6

DL pro piezo transfer function. Below 4 kHz no
acoustic resonances can be detected.

2

4

6

Time [h]8

Climate chamber temperature [°C]Power [mW]

CTL (pp. 12-15)· Beam shaping (page 22)1

Laser system DLC DL pro with well establishedlaser head and all-digital control electronics.

Wavelength [nm]DL DFB· DLC ext allows to combine the DLC pro
with advanced locking modules
DigiLock 110 and FALC 110 (p. 41-43)

The compact and stable external-cavity
resonator has its first mechanical resonanceabove 4 kHz - one reason for its superior
acoustic stability. Special care has
been taken in choosing dimensions
and materials with reduced sensivity tovariations of the ambient temperature.
In addition to its stability, the DL pro is easy
to align: The experienced user can evenexchange the laser diode on-site.

Resonance frequency of
conventional ECDLs

DL pro HP

Sophisticated and patented technology
To achieve the highest performanceand ease of use, the DL pro mechanics
possesses degrees of freedom exactly
where they are needed. Coarse andfine-tuning have been skillfully separated:
A well-defined rotation of the grating
performs coarse tuning and precisely
selects any requested wavelength
within the gain spectrum of the diode.
Mode-hop-free tuning is realized by asystem of robust ﬂexure joints that
require only tiny adjustments. They rotate
the laser‘s grating around the perfect“virtual” pivot point.

Frequency modulation amplitude [MHz]DL pro100

diodes. It offers larger mode-hop-freetuning ranges at reduced coarse-tuning
ranges and increased linewidth comparedto the DL pro. Due to the lack of alignment
sensitive optical elements, DFB pro lasers
are suited particularly for applications innoisy environments.
With the first all-digital control electronics
DLC pro TOPTICA has taken yet anotherbig step in laser operation. The DLC pro
sets new standards with respect tonoise figures, stability values and user
friendliness. New features become
available such as the power stabilization
with updates of the software, even forsystems already in operation in thelaboratories worldwide.

Beat signal [a.u.]

Thanks to the introduction of the patented
pro technology in 2007, TOPTICA has
consolidated and enlarged its market
leadership in external-cavity diodelaser (ECDL) technology. The popular
DL pro has surpassed the DL 100 in the
installed base. Researches all aroundthe world enjoy its stability and longevity
from undergraduate students to Nobel
laureates. The DL pro is the laser of choiceparticularly for demanding experimentsthat need stable locking of several lasers,
narrow linewidth (available as a special
option at many wavelengths) and easytuning. The DFB pro is TOPTICA’s new
tunable laser incorporating DFB or DBR

This translates to a product that delivers
the most reliable and convenient operation
for high-end laboratory work.

· Optimized virtual pivot point· DLC pro Lock, integrated digitalfrequency stabilization (page 39)
Tunable diode lasers have been TOPTICA’s
core expertise since 1995, when the first
DL 100 lasers found their way into scientificlaboratories. Many years of continuous
development followed - along withthousands of individually manufactured
and customer-proven diode lasers.

Main advantages
The main advantages of the DLC DL pro
for the user include large mode-hop-freetuning, alignment-free operation and thehighest acoustic and thermal stability of
any ECDL on the market.

20
10

Laser frequency response to a 10 Kelvin air
temperature change (laser and electronics
inside a climate chamber).

17

DLC DL pro HP
Higher Power from Tunable Diode Lasers

TOPSellers DLC DL pro and DLC DL pro HP
Wavelengths and Speciﬁcations

Due to new laser diode developments, themaximum single-frequency output powerof visible and UV tunable diode lasers is
no longer limited by the damage thresholdof the laser diode. However, achieving reliable single-frequency operation of an external cavity diode laser (ECDL) becomesincreasingly difficult at high power levels.
DL pro HP laser head.

Key Features· Available between 394 nm .. 640 nm·U p to 110 mW single-frequency,
tunable output·E xcellent stability against
mode-hopping·T ypical linewidth 100 .. 500 kHz·F or details of the laser controler
DLC pro see page 38-40.
Check our regularly updated diode stock list:
www.laser-diodes.com

Small variations of the laser diode current
or its temperature can cause mode-hopping - which corresponds to an abrupt
jump in laser frequency by several GHz or even lead to multi-mode operation of
the laser.
Higher power from visible & UV ECDLs
The new DLC DL pro HP diode laser
overrides former output power limits of
ECDLs in two ways. First, it features a
specific version of the DL pro laser headwith a proprietary resonator design andprovides increased single-mode power at„visible“ wavelengths. Second, the new
digital driving electronics DLC pro enables unmatched current and temperaturestability. The combination of both achievements delivers record values of stable single-frequency output power fromvisible or UV ECDLs, for example 110 mW
at 399 nm or 461 nm.
Coarse- and fine-tuning
Manual coarse tuning of the wavelengthis possible across the full gain spectrumof the laser diode (for blue and UV diodes
approximately 2-3 nm) and mode-hopfree fine-tuning covers scan ranges up to

100
100

50 GHz. Typical short term linewidths are
below 150 kHz, corresponding to coherence lengths of > 600 m. Standard
wavelengths include 399 nm, 423 nm
and 633 nm. Other wavelengths between
394 nm and 640 nm are available on request. See preconfigured TOPSeller on
the next page.
Integrated optical isolator
The DL pro HP laser head features two inputs with protection circuit for fast AC &DC modulation of the laser diode current.
These are typically used for fast frequency modulation or locking. A preselected
35 dB optical isolator is also integrated.
The DLC pro digital electronics (see page38-40) allows convenient operation via
touch screen and remote control.

· DLC pro Lock, integrated digitalfrequency stabilization (p. 39)· DLC ext allows to combine the DLC
pro with advanced locking modules
DigiLock 110 and FALC 110 (p. 41/42)· Beam shaping· Motorized wavelength selection with anaccuracy of approximately ± 0.2 nm

380
380

400
400

420
420

440
440

460
460

480
480

500
500

520
520

540
540

560
560

580
580

600
600

620
620

640
640

Power
[mW]
Power
[mW]

Wavelength[nm] [nm]Wavelength
18

Be
DLC Be+ coolingNa

Mg

DLC Sodium cooling

DLC Mg+ coolingK

Ca

DLC TA pro 765
DLC DL pro 780

DLC Ca+ cooling
DLC DL pro 850
DLC DL pro HP 420
DLC DL pro HP 397
DLC DL pro 850

Rb

Sr

Cs

www.toptica.com

The ten TOPSellers of the DLC DL pro
and DLC DL pro HP are direct solutions
for the most popular applications. They
are configured just in the way they are
required for the immediate integration to
the lab. The fitting laser diode and optical isolator are included. This allows
for shorter delivery times of a few weeks
and, due so simplification in the production process, for reduced prices relative
to the configurable systems.

Pr

DLC Ryberg Rb I
DLC Sr cooling
DLC Ryberg Rb II DLC DL pro 461 HP
DLC TA pro 780
DLC DL pro 670
DLC TA pro 795
DLC DL pro HP 420
DLC DL pro 780
DLC DL pro HP 420

DLC Pr StorageBa

DLC TA pro 850
DLC DL pro 850
DLC DL pro HP 461

Yb

Dy

Hg

DLC Yb cooling
DLC Yb+ cooling
DLC DL pro 369
DLC DL pro HP 637

DLC Dy cooling

DLC Mercury Cooling

A number of TOPSeller systems are available, e.g. for laser cooling or excitation of specifictransitions. Listed in this cut-out of the periodic table are all TOPTICA TOPSeller solutions foreach element. Direct diode lasers are marked in bold letters. TOPSellers based on amplified TA
solutions (see page 26) or frequency-converted NLO systems (see page 34) are mentioned forcompleteness.

Typical applications

10
10

360
360

Li
DLC Lithium cooling
DLC TA pro 670
DLC DL pro 670

DLC DL pro

DL pro HP
DL pro / DL 100

11

H
DLC 2 x Lyman α

Options· Fiber-coupled output with FiberDock(single-mode, polarization-maintaining)

The DLC DL pro is used in various
applications and it is designed to be
used with various laser diodes. TOPTICA
is in close contact with researchers to
identify and meet the specific needs.
Some applications are in fact so popular that we have defined laser systems
specific to them. For example the mostpopular application of the DL pro is thelaser cooling of rubidium, in which thelaser wavelength is tuned very close to
the Rb D1 line at 780.24 nm.

850
Cs cooling,
Ca ion repump

780

670

Magneto-optical trap of rubidium atoms.
I. Bloch, MPQ Garching, Germany.

633

Rb cooling and repump, Li cooling and repump,
HeNe laser wavelength
K cooling and repump Sr ion clock transition

369
Yb ion cooling

Peak power (mW) behindisolator, specified (typical)
Wavelength (nm)

70

105

25

32

13

840 - 875

765 - 805

664 - 674

631 - 635

369.2 - 370.2

Linewidth (kHz @5 µs delay)

100

100

200

200

100

Included optical isolator> 60 dB> 60 dB> 60 dB> 60 dB> 28 dBDLC DL pro HP

637

461

420

399

397

Typical applications

NV center,
Yb ion clear out laser

Sr cooling, Cs Rydberg

Ca cooling, Sr ion
cooling, Rb Rydberg

Yb cooling

Ca ion cooling

Peak power (mW) behindisolator, specified (typical)
Wavelength (nm)

45 (50)

110

70

50

65

635 - 639

457 - 461

420 - 423

399 - 402

396.5 - 398.5

Linewidth (kHz @5 µs delay)

500

150

150

150

150

Included optical isolator> 35 dB> 35 dB> 35 dB> 35 dB> 35 dB

www.toptica.com

19

DFB proDistributed-Feedback Lasers

DFB pro laser heads.
Left to right: Compact DFB pro, DFB pro BFY(for butterfly diodes) and DFB pro L (for complete range of options).

Key Features·S ingle-frequency lasers with
distributed-feedback diodes·A vailable wavelengths:
633 nm, 760 nm .. 3500 nm·M ode-hop-free tuning range:
Up to 1400 GHz· Up to 150 mW output power·R eliable operation even in harshenvironments·3 different laser heads – wide range
of options
Check our regularly updated diode stock list:
www.laser-diodes.com

SYST DL 100
Conventional and Economic Tunable Diode Lasers

High stability & ease of use
Distributed feedback (DFB) and Distributed Bragg-reflector (DBR) lasers unite
wide tunability and high output power.
The frequency-selective element, a Bragg
grating, is integrated into the active
section of the semiconductor and ensurescontinuous single-frequency operation.
Due to the absence of alignment-sensitive
components, DFB lasers exhibit an exceptional stability and reliability. The lasers
work under the most adverse environmental conditions – even in the Arctic or inairborne experiments.

itself to applications that require wide,
continuous scans, such as molecular
spectroscopy, gas sensing, or the generation of continuous-wave terahertz waves.
By contrast, laser-current tuning spans asmaller frequency range, but works up to
MHz rates. The electric tuning coefficient
usually amounts to 1-10 GHz/mA. Electric
tuning thus enables fast and highly precise
scans, as required for atomic physics orphase-shifting interferometry.

Three laser heads
The new DFB pro laser series integrates
both DFB and DBR diodes. Three laser
heads accommodate different diodepackages: the compact DFB pro and its“big brother” DFB pro L integrate 9 mm or
TO3-type diodes. The DFB pro BFY offersa dedicated laser head for butterfly-type
diodes.

Touch-panel control
The new DFB pro lasers are conveniently controlled with the DLC pro. Allof the popular features of the DLC pro
are supported: the user-friendly touch display, remote control via Ethernet, “click
and lock” operation. In addition, users canchoose between a “wide scan”, whichchanges the laser temperature in awell-controlled manner, and a fast scanthat acts on the laser current.

Available wavelengths include 633 nm andthe entire range from 760 nm to 3500 nm.

Laser frequency control has never beenthat easy!

Thermal and electric frequency tuning
Frequency tuning of DFB/DBR lasers isaccomplished by varying either the chiptemperature or the operating current.
Typical thermal tuning coefficients are~25 GHz/K at 780 nm and ~10 GHz/K at
1.5 µm. Thermal tuning achieves modehop-free scan ranges of several hundred GHz, at a moderate tuning speed of~100 GHz/s. This tuning mode lends

Principle of operation
The well-proven performance of the
DL 100 results from its Littrow-type
external cavity laser setup in a simple but
rugged design. All over the world, scientists and engineers use the DL 100 for
numerous experiments, from simple absorption spectroscopy to multi-species
BECs.
Fine thread screws permit coarse manual tuning, while precise mode-hop-freescans are driven by a piezo actuator.
Lockable, three-dimensional adjustments
together with metal flexures provide rigid
control of both the laser beam collimationand the grating feedback. The laser resonator is thermally stabilized by means of a
Peltier cooling element, connected to the
DTC 110 Diode Temperature Control.
Low noise operation of the DL 100 isachieved by means of the Diode Current
Control DCC 110. In addition, TOPTICA
offers a variety of regulator modules tostabilize the laser frequency.

Options

Options· Beam shaping· Optical isolators· Single-stage or double-stage optical isolation· Beam shaping· Fiber coupling· Fiber-coupling· Frequency stabilization option DLC pro Lock(see page 39)· DC / AC coupled modulation board· Locking modules for SYS DC 110:

779.5 T = 6 °C
0515Time (s)20

25“Wide scan” of a DFB pro laser at 780 nm:
A temperature sweep from 3 °C to 30 °Cchanges the frequency by 700 GHz.
20

-120

1.0

-135
-140
-145

10

12

14

16

Laser Diode Temperature (°C)

18

Absorption spectrum of iodine, recorded with athermally tuned DFB pro laser at 633 nm. The scanin the figure covers a range of approx. 250 GHz.

100

1k

0.3
0.2
0.1

Shot-noise limit

-150
10

10k

100k

Frequency (Hz)1M

· High power up to 300 mW· Mode-hop-free tuning up to 30 GHz· Free-running linewidth
100 kHz .. 1 MHz (5 µs)· AR and FP diodes
Check our regularly updated diode stock list:
www.laser-diodes.com

5.0
4.5
4.0
3.5
3.0
2.0

109.6

www.toptica.com· Widest wavelength coverage
370 .. 1770 nm

2.5

10M

Relative intensity noise (RIN) of a DFB pro laser
at 780 nm. The integrated RMS noise amounts
to 0.01%.

Key Features

5.5

0.4

-130

SYST DL 100, the classic workhorse for many
quantum optics experiments.

6.0

RMS noise (10 Hz - 10 MHz) = 0.012%

-125

0.5

10

Hands-on setup
The DL 100 has evolved in research laboratories and therefore offers the necessary
versatility for a changing environment. For
instance, all important alignment parameters
are easily accessible from above and are adjustable by lockable fine threadscrews. If an
OEM application requires a fixed laser setup
with limited user access, TOPTICA can also
provide “hands-off” laser systems.

Transmission (a.u.)

780.0

200

RIN (dBc/Hz)

Transmission (a.u.)

Wavelength (nm)

780.5

150

1.5

781.0
∆λ= 1.42 nm∆ν= 700 GHz

100

Beat signal [a.u.]

T = 30 °C

Relative Detuning (GHz)50

The laser diode itself can be easily exchanged by replacing the diode holder without
dismantling the setup. The DL 100 is available with AR and FP-type diodes. FP diodes
deliver higher power at lower cost, while
AR-coated diodes offer wider tuning, morestable single-mode behavior and narrower
linewidths. The control and supply units aredesigned as modular plugins which can be
combined to meet any application requirement. Further modules like Scan Control,
PID regulator and Pound-Drever-Hall detector complete the modular electronics setup.

Reasonably priced
A DL 100 laser system is the most economic and flexible step into the “World of
Tunable Diode Lasers”. If even more stable and convenient operation is required,
the DL pro systems are the recommended
alternatives (see pages 17-19).

· DigiLock 110, FALC 110,
PID 110, PDD 110

0Modular design
The DL 100 diode laser head comprises amounting base which serves as heat sink,a temperature sensor and Peltier coolingelement for active temperature control, alaser base plate, a laser diode holder witha collimator and a grating mount with apiezo actuator for precise tuning.

109.8
110.0
110.2
Frequency [MHz]110.4

Linewidth measurement of DL 100 with delayedself-heterodyne beat setup (delay 5 µs). The
resulting linewidth is below 100 kHz.
www.toptica.com

10

15
20
25
Wavelength Scan (GHz)DL 100 frequency sweep over four Rb absorption
lines (red). FPI transmission peaks (blue,
FSR 1 GHz) are shown for reference.
21

Options Tunable Diode Lasers
DL Series Laser Head Options
1
Beat signal [a.u.]

A number of options allow to optimize thelaser system towards the specific needsof the application. While our TOPSeller
provide pre-configured solutions to a number of applications, the DLC DL pro and
DLC DL pro HP systems is customizablewith the following options:

0.1

Specifications

measured
calculated (5 kHz)

0.01

DL pro

1E-3
1E-4
1E-5
1E-6
78

Specifications
Tunable Diode Lasers

Class 3B Laser Product EN 60825-1:2007. Visible or insible laser radiation.
Avoid direct exposure to beam. Caution - Class 3B visible or insivisble laser
radiation when open. Avoid exposure to the beam. Magnetic fields may bepresent which may affect the operation of certain pacemakers.

79

80
81
Frequency [MHz]ofDL pro with integrated optical isolator and fiber
coupling using a FiberDock

With this option DL pro laser systems are optimized for narrow linewidths. It is also suited for seed lasersof TA pro or NLO systems but not for DL pro HP, DFB pro or DL 100 lasers.

Fiber Coupling (FiberDock)
TOPTICA’s patented fiber coupler provides highest single-mode fiber-coupling efficiencies, easy alignment
and at the same time highest stability. TOPTICA additionally offers a wide range of single-mode andpolarization-maintaining fibers, including fiber-optic beam splitters. Optical isolation is mandatory for fibercoupled diode laser systems. This option is also available for TOPSeller DLC DL pro and DLC DL pro HP.
Optical Isolation

DFB pro

ECDL

ECDL

Direct diodeLaser diodes

AR coated andFP laser diodes

AR coated andFP laser diodes

AR coated andFP laser diodes

DFB and
DBR diodes

Best forhigh resolution,
long term operationhigh power

flexible economic
lab systemrugged environments,
wide continuous tuning

Typical linewidth (5 µs)

10 kHz .. 300 kHz

100 kHz .. 500 kHz

30 kHz .. 300 kHz

300 kHz .. 2 MHz

Wavelength range

369 nm -1770 nm

394 nm - 637 nm

369 nm - 1770 nm

633 nm, 760 nm - 3500 nm

mechanical*

mechanical(service operation)

thermal or electric

Mode-hop-free tuning-range (MHFTR) 20 GHz .. 50 GHz

20 GHz .. 50 GHz

20 GHz .. 50 GHz

600 .. 1200 GHz

Temperature sensitity<< 100 MHz / K<< 100 MHz / K

400 MHz / K

100 MHz / K

Optical isolator

optional,
included in TOPSellers

included

optional + recommended

optional + recommended

Replacement of laser diodes

possibleat the factoryeasy

at the factory

Wavelength switch

available

not available

available

available

Laser system with DLC pro

DLC DL pro

DLC DL pro HP

not available

DLC DFB pro,DLC DFB pro L,
DLC DFB pro BFY

Laser system with SYS DC 110

SYST DL pro

not recommended

SYST DL L

DFB pro (L / BFY) andSYS DC 110

Coarse Tuning

Narrow linewidth

DL 100

ECDL

82

Self-heterodyne linewidth measurement
DLC DL pro with narrow linewidth option.

DL pro HP

Type of laser

mechanical*

Specifications are typical values and can vary with integrated laser diode.
Please see laser diode stock list for details or inquire: www.laser-diodes.com.
*Motorization available, see page 22.

Isolators are used to protect the laser diode against back reflections. This not only prevents damage tothe diode but also ensures untroubled tuning and single-frequency operation. Fiber-coupling with anglepolished fibers (both ends) requires at least a single-stage isolator (> 30 dB). Double-stage isolators areneeded if reflections from the experiment into the laser are expected. Fiber-coupling with non-angle-polishedfibers also requires a double-stage isolator (> 60 dB). TOPSellers are always equipped with the appropriate
optical isolator. See page 45 for details of the isolators.

How to choose your DL series configuration

Beam Shaping
To shape elliptical laser beams into round profiles, either an anamorphic prism pair (APP) or cylindrical lenses
are used. The compressed circular beam is small enough for using inexpensive small-aperture isolators, andthe fiber-coupling efficiency is enhanced by approximately 10 %. The compression ratio is set at the factory.

You need a laser system· for the application _____· at wavelength _____ nm.

Is there a TOPSeller
available (see pages
19, 26, 34)?

noConfigure system,
possibly with fiber
coupling (FiberDock).

Ordercustomized system.

Motorization
yes

The motorization of the coarse tuning offers manual control and operation via software interface. This option isavailable for most DL pro laser systems (most AR laser diodes and some FP diodes) including DL pro HP laser
systems. Please note that unlike for the DLC CTL systems (p. 12) mode-hopping during the scan may occure.
This leads to an approximate accuracy and repeatability specification of ±0.2 nm of the laser wavelength.
Not available for the DL 100 or for DFB pro.

yes

Bias-TThe DL pro (HP) has two modulation inputs that allow current modulation frequencies of up to 150 MHz. A
Bias-T allows even higher current modulation frequencies of up to several GHz, depending on the diode. It isalso suited for seed lasers of TA or NLO systems. DL 100 laser have a Bias-T included that may be activatedby setting of a jumper.

Do you needfiber coupling?

Electronics Modules

yes

no

A broad variety of electronic locking modules is available for frequency stabilization.
See pages 41-43 for details of the modules like DigiLock 110 and FALC 110 etc.

Add FiberDockand fiber.

Do youneed anyof the options
motorization, bias-Tor beam shaping(p.22)?

noOrder TOPSeller forbest price andshorter delivery time.

For contact information see backside of this catalog.
22

www.toptica.com

www.toptica.com

23

TA proThe complete high power laser system in pro technology

Tunable Laser and Amplifier Systems in the Watt Regime
Single-mode diode lasers often do not meetthe power requirements of applications.
With tapered amplifiers (TAs, see page11) the power can easily increase to the
Watt level without impairing the spectral
quality of the seed laser. Besides, TAs offer
excellent beam quality (M² < 1.5 or 2).
TOPTICA offers complete and integrated
Master Oscillator Power Amplifier (MOPA)
systems with stable beam pointing andoutput power (TA pro) as well as amplifier
only solutions (BoosTA pro). Both offer
power levels up to 3.5 W, while the BoosTA
is the most cost efficient solution providing
up to 1.5 W output power.
The TA pro is a member of TOPTICA’s pro
series and consistently follows the conceptof maximum stability and ease of use. This
product consists of a grating stabilized
diode laser and a tapered semiconductor
TA pro / BoosTA pro
BoosTA

Power [mW]1000

The DLC TA pro comes with TOPTICA’s
new all digital laser driver DLC pro. The
digital control elecronics deliver thehighest currents (powers), lowest noiseand drift (narrow linewidth) and the mostconvenient user interfaces. SYST TA
pro is the more cost efficient alternativewith analog double stage SYS DC series
electronics.

100

10
600

24

amplifier. The Master-Oscillator PowerAmplifier (MOPA) concept combines thetunability and linewidth of the DL pro seedlaser with the high power and excellent
beam quality available from tapered
amplifiers. Master oscillator and power
amplifier are independently driven by apair of temperature and current controllers.
Patented, highly stable, flexure based
mirror mounts ensure easy coupling of
the master laser into the tapered amplifierand prevent intensity fluctuations causedby beam pointing variations. For beam
shaping, TOPTICA uses custom-madeoptical components, achieving an excellent
beam profile and highest single-mode
fiber-coupling efficiencies.

700

800

900
1000
1100
Wavelength [nm]

1200

1300

1400

1500

www.toptica.com

Key advantages
The integrated MOPA (Master-Oscillator
Power-Amplifier)systemprovidesunmatched stability against acoustic noise,
vibrations and ambient temperature

Ultra-stable mirror
mount

DLC TA pro systems come with TOPTICA’s
all digital DLC pro. It delivers lowest drift
and noise and at the same time highest
amplifer currents: 5 A with CC-5000 andwith the optional surcharge SUR TA / HP
up to 10 A. DLC pro is conveniently controlled via touch display, knobs or remotely
via TCP/IP or USB. More information on
DLC pro can be found on pages 39 & 40.
Alternatively, the TA pro is still available with TOPTICA’s proven analog electronics SYS DC 110 as SYST TA pro.

Optical isolator
60 dB
DL pro as
master oscillator

Taperedamplifier with
optics and heat
management

TA pro laser head with integrated 60 dB
output isolator.

www.toptica.com· MOPA concept with DL pro masterand tapered amplifier· Powers up to 3.5 W· Amplifier currents up to 5 A / 10 A
· Excellent beam quality: typ. M² < 1.5· DC & AC-coupled modulation ports
for both master laser and amplifier· Probe-beam output· Output power stabilization
Check our regularly updated diode and TA chipstock list: www.laser-diodes.com

2100

5000

2050

6A
4000
5A
3000

2000

1000

88
TA output power with PowerLock

0

500

1000

1500

Time [hours]

2000

Excellent output power stability (example oftesting a new chip at two different amplifier
currents).

86

2000

84

1950

82

1900

80

1850

1905.4

1800

1700

78

1905.276

1905.01904.81750
0Optical isolator 60 dB· Gain up to Key
20 dB(x 100)Features

Please inquire.

Measured Output Power [mW]

HIGH POWER

Active power stabilization included
DLC TA pro systems feature integrated
photo diodes that monitor the seed andoutput powers to prevent damage to andpremature aging of the amplifier chip.
With the free DLC pro firmware update toversion 1.4 or higher we have added active power stabilization. Not only can the
power be stabilized at the integrated
photo diodes, but also on external photo
diodes in your experiment – exactly where
you need it.

Prepared for high bandwidth locking
The TA pro system is ideally prepared forhigh bandwidth power and frequency stabilization as well as linewidth reduction byacting on the laser and/or amplifier current
through several high bandwidth modulation inputs. TOPTICA offers various solutions for stabilization tasks, e.g. PoundDrever-Hall or phase locking.

DLC TA pro - next generation of amplified tunable diode lasers - with the all digital DLC pro
driving electronics.

Seed Power [mW]

Between isolator and tapered amplifiera probe beam is tapped off and madeavailable for spectral stabilization andmonitoring purposes. All mechanical andoptical components are integrated in a
housing that is machined from one solid
block. The complete system has provenits stability in numerous tests both in
TOPTICA’s laboratories and in manycustomers’ experiments.

changes. The TA pro is easy to align,
very stable when aligned, and it offers
the best possible beam quality available
from tapered amplifiers. The TA pro comesin five standard wavelengths, but further
wavelengths between 632 nm and1495 nm are available as well. The output
power at a specific wavelength depends
on available TA chips and master laser
diodes. Thanks to a new high-current laser
driver, the most powerful TA pro systems
now achieve power levels up to 3.5 W.

Amplifier Output Power [mW]

Integrated system withhigh-quality components
The TA pro consists of a grating-stabilized
diode laser and a tapered semiconductor
amplifier. A high-quality optical isolator
placed between master laser andamplifier eliminates spurious backreflections and thus guarantees spectrallyrobust operation.

50

60

1904.683

σ = 0.01 %70

80

Piezo Voltage [V]

85

87

74
89

90

72

DLC TA pro system master and amplifier
powers with PowerLock during a 10 Hz piezoscan. While the master fluctuates approx. 8%,
the TA output is stable (σ=0,01%).
25

TA pro TOPSeller and Customized Versions
Optimized Systems for Selected Applications
Optimized Systems for Selected
Applications
Pre-configured TA pro systems have
proven themselves as workhorses innumerous quantum optics laboratories
around the world. TOPTICA’s TA pro
TOPSellers are value priced and can be
combined with multiple options. Optical
Isolation of the output beam is highly
recommended.

H
DLC 2 x Lyman α

LiBe

DLC Lithium cooling
DLC TA pro 670
DLC DL pro 670

DLC Be+ coolingNa

Mg

DLC Sodium cooling

DLC Mg+ coolingK

Ca

DLC TA pro 765
DLC DL pro 780

DLC Ca+ cooling
DLC DL pro 850
DLC DL pro HP 420
DLC DL pro HP 397
DLC DL pro 850

Customized Solutions
Based on more than 30 different TA-Chipsa very broad range of wavelengths andpowers can be realized with customized
versions of TA pro systems (graph on page24, see also tapered amplifier stock listat www.toptica.com/laser diodes). They
are open and flexible systems, and canbe modified according to individual needs(see options). In case you don’t find yourpreferred features please don’t hesitate
to contact us. We are happy to discuss
your individual needs and are prepared tocreate flexible solutions. There are many
more possibilities not listed here.

BoosTA pro
Semiconductor Optical Amplifier in pro Technology
Options· Optical isolator for TA output(recommended)· Surcharge SUR TA / HP for higher
currents (DLC pro: 10 A, SYST: 5 A)
· Fiber-coupling of TA output and/orprobe beam (output FiberDock requires
optical isolation)· Narrow linewidth resonator· DFB master laser· Motorized wavelength selection· Bias-T for high bandwidth frequency
modulation· Locking option DLC pro Lock andDigiLock 110, PDD 110, FALC 110, etc.

For customers who wish to boost
the power of existing lasers, coherent
stand-alone amplifiers offer an attractive
solution.
TOPTICA’s BoosTA product line provides
efficient optical amplification withoutcompromising the high spectral andspatial beam quality of the master laser.
Semiconductor optical amplifier for
more laser power
TOPTICA’s new stand-alone optical amplifier BoosTA pro increases the output
power of a DL pro or any other linearlypolarized master laser by up to 20 dB.
Following TOPTICA’s well-establishedpro-technology, the TA chip is mounted
in a compact unit with optimized heat
management and beam-shaping optics.

Sr

Pr

DLC Ryberg Rb I
DLC Ryberg Rb II
DLC TA pro 780
DLC TA pro 795
DLC DL pro 780
DLC DL pro HP 420

DLC Sr cooling
DLC DL pro 461 HP
DLC DL pro 670
DLC DL pro HP 420

DLC Pr Storage· Optical output isolator, 30 or 60 dB(integrated in amplifier head)CsBa· Fiber-coupled output(requires optical isolation)

Magneto-optical trap of lithium atoms.
T. Esslinger, ETH Zürich, Switzerland.

DLC TA pro 850
DLC DL pro 850
DLC DL pro HP 461

Yb

Dy

Hg

DLC Yb cooling
DLC Yb+ cooling
DLC DL pro 369
DLC DL pro HP 637

DLC Dy cooling

DLC Mercury Cooling

The BoosTA pro head also includes ahigh-bandwidth current modulation board,which - when used in a closed feedback
loop - allows compensating power fluctuations of the master laser by adjusting
the amplifier gain. The board features aprotective circuit to avoid the risk of chipdamage. The beam management of theseed laser can be greatly simplified byfiber input coupling, which is optionallyavailable as well as fiber-output coupling. Optical output isolation is provided
by TOPTICA. The BoosTA pro head has
sufficient space for a 60 dB isolator toprotect the TA chip from back reflections.

Options· Fiber-coupled input

Rb

A compact, external power supply (DC HP)
drives the amplifier head and allows effortless operation - even of current-hungry
TA chips at wavelengths with lower gain.
Researchers thus benefit from output
power levels up to 3.5 W with currents
up to 7 A.

· Operation with standard rack
SYS DC 110

To determine the available tuning range and output power for your desired
wavelength, please contact TOPTICA.
For an overview, please see the table on
page 28, the graph on page 24 and checkour regularly updated tapered amplifier
stock list on www.laser-diodes.com. The
stock list shows the required amplifer
current for achieving the maximum specified output power. BoosTA pro offers amaximum current of 7 A.

BoosTA pro — High-power optical amplifier.

Key Features· Compact ampliﬁer module· Gain up to 20 dB (x 100)
· Output power up to 3.5 W· Amplifier currents up to 7 A· External control electronics (DC HP)· Maintains spectral properties ofmaster oscillator· Many wavelengths available(660 .. 1495 nm)
Check our regularly updated TA chip stock list:
www.laser-diodes.com

A number of TOPSeller systems are available, e.g. for laser cooling or excitation of specific transitions. Listed in this cut-out of the periodic table
are all TOPTICA TOPSeller solutions for each element. Amplified diode lasers are marked in bold letters. TOPSellers based on direct diode lasers(see page 19) or frequency-converted NLO systems (see page 34) are mentioned for completeness.

26

DLC TA pro TOPSeller

670

765

780

795

850

Wavelength range [nm]664 .. 674

760 .. 775

765 .. 795

780 .. 800

850 .. 870

Max. output power [W]

0.5

2

3

3.5

3.5

Beam quality [M²]

< 1.5

< 1.5

<2

<2

<2

Mode-hop-free tuning [GHz]30 - 50

30 - 50

30 - 50

30 - 50

30 - 50
www.toptica.com

BoosTA pro with DC HP.

www.toptica.com

BoosTA pro laser head with Fiber-in, Fiber-out(FiFo).

27

BoosTA
Semiconductor Optical Amplifier
table and increases the long-term
stability of the experimental set-up.
It is even possible to combine twodifferent seed lasers, e.g. in a polarizationmaintaining fiber array, and amplify both
wavelengths simultaneously in a single
BoosTA system. This concept is widelyused for the generation of tunable,
continuous-wave terahertz radiation.

Compact and cost efficient semiconductor optical amplifier
For customers with moderate power
requirements, the BoosTA offers a cost
efficient alternative to the BoosTA pro
while still being superior to self-built
solutions. It comes pre-aligned and tested
with a suitable seed laser, and users canreadily insert it into their experimental
set-up.

BoosTA — Economic optical amplifier.

Key Features· Compact ampliﬁer module· Gain up to 20 dB (x 100)
· Output power up to 1.5 W· Amplifier currents up to 2.5 A· Integrated, compact control electronics·M aintains spectral properties ofmaster oscillator·M any wavelengths available(660 .. 1495 nm)
Check our regularly updated TA chip stock list:
www.laser-diodes.com

Specifications
High power laser and amplifier systems

Class 4 Laser Product EN 60825-1:2007. Visible or insible laser radiation.
Avoid eye or skin exposure to direct or scattered radiation. Caution - Class
4 visible and/or insivisble laser radiation when open. Avoid exposure to thebeam, avoid eye or skin exposure to direct or scattered radiation. Magnetic
fields may be present which may affect the operation of certain pacemakers.

Available BoosTA power levels dependon the particular TA chip and the available current. The BoosTA offers a maximum
current of 2.5 A - sufficient for output
powers up to 1.5 W.

The BoosTA comprises a selected tapered amplifier chip as well as proprietary
collimation optics, which help to achieve
the best possible output beam profile.
Control electronics for TA chip temperature and driver current is integrated into
the laser head. The current can either be
set manually via a rotary potentiometer,or remotely via an RS 232 interface.
An external power supply minimizes theimpact of thermal and electronic radiation(EMC) on the amplifier head.

The table below lists common wavelengths and available powers from
BoosTA and BoosTA pro with typicalrequired amplifier currents.

Options· Optical output isolator, 30 or 60 dB(integrated into amplifier head)

BoosTA pro

MOPA

Amplifier

Master laser

DL pro (integrated), DL DFB on
requestExternal

Wavelengths

660 .. 1495 nm*

Max. power

3.5 W

Typical mode-hop-free tuning
Typical linewidth (5 µs)

10 .. 50 nm
20 - 50 GHz

Depends on master laser

10 kHz .. 300 kHz

Depends on master laser

Polarization
ASE background, typ.
Beam quality M²

Linear > 100 : 1< -40 dB

Depends on master laser< 1.5 (< 2.0 for some higherpower chips)< 1.5 (< 2.0 for some higher-power chips)**Divergence< 1 mrad50 ± 1 mm
Internal: 60 dB included, Output:
optional 30 or 60 dB

Input: none, Output: optional 30 or 60 dB

Fiber-coupling

Output and probe beam: optional

Input*** and Output: optional

50 % (60 %)50 % (60 %)**For seed and output-

Control electronics

735

765

780

795

850

915

970

1010

1060

1100..1360

1480

Max. Power [W] BoosTA pro

0.5

0.5

2

3

3.5

3

1.5

3

2

2

1.5

0.3

Max. Power [W] BoosTA

0.5

0.5

1.3

1.5

1.2

1.3

1.2

0.75

-

1

-

0.25

Max. required Current [A]

1.1

1.5

3

4

4

5

3

5

5

4

7

3

TA-Mod included-

DLC pro, digital

DC HP

Integrated + power supply

Maximum TA current (HP)

5 A (10 A)

7A

2.5 A

Frequency modulation option

Included-

DLC pro Lock, DLC ext

Depends on master laser

Locking options

670

53.9 mm

Optical isolators

Intensity modulation option

Wavelength [nm]1.5 W

Coarse tuning

Monitor photo diodes· Fiber-coupled output(requires optical isolation)

BoosTA

Configuration

Fiber-coupling efficiency****: min. (typ.)· Fiber-coupled input

BoosTA vs. BoosTA pro - Power at selected wavelengths

1000

DLC TA pro

Beam height

Fiber input and output coupling as wellas integration of an optical output isolator in the amplifier head are optionally available like for the BoosTA pro.
The fiber-coupled system provides highflexibility in the optical beam path,
reduces complexity on the optical

2250 mA

Specifications

Environment temperature / humidity

operating: 15 - 30 °C, transport: 0 - 40 °C / Non condensing

Operating voltage

100 - 120 V / 220 - 240 V AC, 50 - 60 Hz (auto detect)

Power consumption

Typ. 70 W

Typ. 40 W

Typ. 35 W

Size head (H x W x D)

90 x 192 x 400 mm³90 x 115 x 275 mm³85 x 100 x 312 mm³Size electronics (H x W x D)

154 x 450 x 348 mm³85 x 105 x 200 mm³70 x 175 x 179 mm³

Weight head / electronics

9.5 kg / 8.5 kg

3.9 kg / 2.3 kg

4.5 kg / 2.4 kg*With gaps **With TOPTICA master laser ***Requires PM fiber FC/APC ****With TOPTICA’s FiberDock, isolation required.

2200 mA

Output power (mW)

1750 mA
800
1500 mA

600

1250 mA

400

1000 mA
200

750 mA0500 mA
250 mA
0

28

20

Seed power (mW)40

Typical saturation behavior of tapered amplifier
chips at different amplifier currents (seed power
levels exceeding 40 mW are not recommended).

60

www.toptica.com

www.toptica.com

29

Diode laser advantages
The diode laser systems are most compact
in size, extremely reliable, conveniently
operated, with low running costs andavailable without water cooling.
Based on almost 20 years of experiencein building frequency converted diode laser systems, and several hundreds of units
installed in the field, TOPTICA’s frequencyconverted lasers are now entering an unprecedented level of stability, functionality
and performance. They go digital!
SUV
The Super-UV functionality is a major
technological leap, significantly boosting
output powers and lifetimes of DUV lasers. The redesign of the FHG stage includes complete sealing of the DUV optics,
developed exclusively for DLC procontrolled systems. The option includes
a lifetime warranty, and the projected
total lifetime exceeds 10,000 hours.

Together with our customers, TOPTICA’s
experts will identify the best product andtailor it according to specific requirements
in terms of output power, wavelength andtunability. For dedicated applications,
we provide pre-configured TOPSeller
systems. But if our standard productfamilies do not match your needs, we will
go one step further - do not hesitate tochallenge us!

TA-SHG pro / FA-SHG pro
TA-FHG pro
DL-SHG pro
DL-FHG pro
SUV Option

10000

The SHG wavelength is tuned by altering
the fundamental laser color. Mode-hopfree tuning of tens of gigahertz is realized
by scanning the fundamental laser while
the SHG resonator follows automatically.
Coarse tuning over several nanometersis achieved by manually changing the
wavelength of the fundamental laser.
Only if phase matching has to be
optimized a realignment of the SHG
resonator may be necessary.

1000
Power [mW]

pro philosophy in frequency-converted
systems
The laser head of TOPTICA’s pro design
lasers is machined from one solid
metal block for enhanced robustness
against vibrations, acoustic noise andtemperaturefluctuations.
Integrated
ﬂexure-based mirror mounts provide an
unmatched long-term stability. The “bowtie” resonator SHG pro comes in a closed
design with entrance and exit windows,
and can be adjusted without opening thecover lid, allowing for a typical residual
leak rate at the 10-5 mbar l /s level.

100
10
1

250

300

350

400

450

500

550

600

650

700

750

800

30

www.toptica.com

With AutoAlign, the user starts optimizationof the beam alignment with one simple click.
Built-in servos and digital intelligence do therest of the job.

50
40

FWHM
0.2%

30

Top right: AutoAlign performance after intentional misalignment, showing a residual scattering
at the per mille level.

1010Time [h]

100

0
99.4

1000

0

10-4
FHG stage with/without EOMSHG stage with/without EOM

10-5

10

-6

10-7

10

100

www.toptica.com

1k

10k

100k

Frequency [Hz]

1M

10M

-10

·E
 very system customized with respect toexperimental needs

Top left: SUV long-term output power stability
measurements for a selection of wavelengths
and output power levels, with a projected
lifetime exceeding 10,000 hours. 213 nm(266 nm) measurements are shown with
PowerLock on (Off).

20

10-8

Wavelength [nm]·F iberMon: Measure, control and optimize
your fiber-coupled laser!

60

0.1
200

·P
 owerLock for applications demanding
constant powers during longterm operation

266 nm SUV HP
266 nm SUV
213 nm SUV

1Furthermore, the users benefit from ourlowest-noise digital control electronics. Since the master laser is based on
TOPTICA’s DL pro technology, narrowest
linewidths are routinely achieved, andsensitivity to environmental perturbations
is minimized to an extreme level.

·A utoAlign option: Hands-off coupling
into TA, doubling cavity and fiber (withFiberMon)

70

10
0.1

Convenience & precision
The DLC pro control rack allows for fullstand-off remote control and operation of
the laser system. For working in the lab,
the touch display allows direct control.
For independent and remote control, acomputer interface provides full access to
all laser parameters. Just switch on yourlaser and start the experiment!

Features

1000

100

FiberMon, so the user has both optimization and stabilization of the fiber output
at hand. Consequently, you get the best
fiber pigtailed SHG system ever!

·S UV: Unprecedented DUV power andlifetime

CountsSuper-UV option allow for the easiest
possible operation.

Fiber Mon
With the FiberMon option, one can directly
monitor the optical power coupled to
the SHG output fiber. AutoAlign andPower-Lock are ready to be used with

Self-Heterodyne Spectrum [a.u.]Standard systems and customized
solutions
By combining comprehension of diodelaser technology and extensive experiencein frequency conversion, TOPTICA’s lasers
achieve the highest output power levels
and the best performance on the market.
Frequency converted lasers are available
at wavelengths between 205 nm and
680 nm, with only few spectral gaps, andspecial solutions down to 190 nm. Novel
developments like the digital controller
DLC pro, AutoAlign functionality, or the

UV Power [mW]

Tunable Diode Lasers for Visible and UV Wavelengths

RIN Density [Hz-1/2]

FREQUENCY-CONVERTED LASERS

AutoAlign
In the past, the sturdy design of TOPTICA’s
frequency-converted lasers has set standards in the entire field. Today, using digitalelectronics, we push even further. Thanks
to the AutoAlign option, the time-consuming task of laser system realignment
belongs to the past. With built-in intelligence and servo-controlled flexure mirror
mounts, the system optimizes the coupling of the beams into TA and SHG cavity,and even the output fiber. Optimize yourSHG power with one simple click!

PowerLock
During their experimental runs, manyof our users rely on constant output
power. The excellent stability of ourcurrent systems was improved further with
PowerLock. Residual power excursions
are cancelled automatically by controlling
the TA power. Users benefit from stable
SHG output powers, without having tocompensate for drifts externally.

99.6

99.8

100.0

SHG output power [%]100.2

Bottom left: RIN benefit from the EOM option in
the DLC TA-FHG pro. Integrated RIN of the FHG
light RIN is 0.09% (0.23% without EOM), andPDH sidebands are suppressed.

1212 nm Linewidth:
4.9 kHz606 nm Linewidth:
7.6 kHz

-20
-30
-40

Bottom right: Owing to the superior noise performance of our new DLC pro electronics, weroutinely achieve narrowest linewidths.

-50
-60
-70
-80
77

78

79

80

Frequency [MHz]

81

82

83

31

DLC TA-SHG pro
Frequency-Doubled High-Power Diode Laser

TA-SHG pro — High-power, cw, tunable UV,
blue, green, yellow or red laser source.

Key Features· TA pro diode laser + SHG pro second-harmonic generator in one box· UV, blue, green, yellow or red
wavelengths: 330 - 680 nm· 10 mW - 2000 mW output power(wavelength dependent)· PowerLock: Active output powerstabilization· Up to 15 nm coarse tuning(wavelength dependent)· Tunable single-frequency emission,
typ. linewidth < 200 kHz· Probe-beam output of fundamental
laser and SHG beam
· SHG pro key features see page 36

DLC TA-FHG pro
Frequency-Quadrupled High-Power Diode Laser

High-power, tunable UV, blue, green
laser, yellow or red laser light
The DLC TA-SHG pro, a frequencydoubled amplified diode laser, is thesystem of choice if narrow-band, tunable
laser radiation with up to 2000 mW output power in the UV to visible wavelength
range is required. Typical applications
are laser cooling or trapping of atoms
and ions, metrology, spectroscopy,
holography and interferometry.

stabilization of the output (PowerLock)is integrated. Both optimization andstabilization are available for fibercoupled systems with the FiberMon
option. A probe-beam output of thefundamental laser is also provided. The
TA-SHG pro lasers are available within
a wide wavelength range (currently
available 320 .. 780 nm with only few
spectral gaps). Specific laser characteristics are customized to the respective
application requirements.

The system comprises a solid laser head
and a DLC pro digital electronics rack,including all modules needed to operate the fundamental diode laser, tostabilize the SHG resonator with respect
to the laser wavelength, and to thermallycontrol the nonlinear crystal. Ultra-low
noise sensitivity, best long-term stability of the laser frequency and output
power, as well as ease of use are thecornerstones of the design. Frequency
locking of the master laser is available
with the Lock option, and further linewidth narrowing is possible using fast
lock modules (DigiLock 110, FALC 110)in combination with DLC ext.

Depending on the design wavelength,
typical output powers range from 10 mW
to 2000 mW. A medium-power solution
without tapered amplifier (DL-SHG pro)is also available.

TOPTICA’s patented beam-steering mirror mounts guarantee best short andlong-term stability of the output power. With the AutoAlign option, servocontrolled mirrors and built-in intelligence re-optimize the beam alignment
into the TA chip and the SHG cavity
at the push of a button. Active power
Optical isolator

Options· AutoAlign for TA, SHG and FiberMon
stages· FiberMon option (for SHG wavelengthsof 400 nm - 640 nm)· Integrated EOM option: Independent
low-noise error signal generation

UV meets high power
TOPTICA’s TA-FHG pro unites a gratingstabilized diode laser and a tapered amplifier as a fundamental light source with two
cascaded second-harmonic generation
stages SHG pro – all integrated in one solidlaser head to obtain stable, high-power
UV laser light.

Options· SUV for unprecedented DUV output
power and stability· AutoAlign for TA, SHG and FHG stages· EOM option: Independent low-noise
error signal generation· Fiber output of fundamental probe
beam and SHG probe beam

The laser can be operated like a DL
pro external-cavity diode laser. Typicalapplications of TA-FHG pro lasers areultra-high-resolution spectroscopy, laser
cooling of atoms (e.g. Hg, H, Mg), ions(e.g. Mg+, Yb++, Al+, In+, Cd+,…), molecules (NO) or condensed-matter studies via angle-resolved photoemission
spectroscopy (ARPES), and parametricdown-coversion to the visible range.

· Fast analog modules for further
linewidth narrowing· Fiber output of fundamental probe
beam and SHG beam

Optical isolator

DL pro· TA pro diode laser + two subsequent
second-harmonic generators
SHG pro in one box· Available wavelengths:
205 nm .. 330 nm, below 205 nm
upon request· Tunable single-frequency emission,
typ. linewidth < 500 kHz· Probe-beam output offundamental laser

Folding
mirrors· SHG pro key features see page 36

Taperedamplifier

DL proKey Features· 1 nm - 4 nm coarse tuning(wavelength dependent)· Fast analog modules for further
linewidth narrowing· SYST control electronics or mediumpower version DL-SHG pro available
upon request

Close-up of open TA-FHG pro — Tunable single-frequency UV laser with high output power.

· 1 mW - 500 mW output power(wavelength dependent)· SYST control electronics or medium
power version DL-SHG pro available
upon request

Folding
mirrors

Mode matching optics

PD

TaperedamplifierMode matching optics

PD

Schematic of the TA-SHG pro laser head:High power at common and exotic wavelengths(Medium-power version DL-SHG pro does notinclude the TA section.).
32

True cw single-frequency operation withlinewidths below 500 kHz (coherence
length > 200 m), output power levels up
to 500 mW, 20-40 GHz of mode-hopfree tuning and coarse-tuning ranges of
1 - 4 nm make up the hero characteristicsof this unique laser. It is equipped withstate-of-the-art digital electronics to drive
the laser diode and TA chip, to thermallycontrol the two NLO crystals, and tostabilize the two SHG resonators.

PD

Beam shaping
opticsBeam shaping
opticsResonant doubling cavity
www.toptica.com

www.toptica.com

Schematic of the TA-FHG pro laser head:
High-power tunable UV laser radiation is
generated by two-fold frequency doublingof an amplified diode laser TA pro (Mediumpower version DL-FHG pro does not include
the TA section.).
33

Options and Customization
Versatility of Frequency-Converted Systems

TA-SHG pro and TA-FHG pro TOPSeller Systems
Pre-Configured Lasers for Selected Applications
Pre-configured laser systems
TOPTICA’s TOPSellers are designed forsome of the most common applicationsof our frequency-converted systems:
Spectroscopy of (anti-)hydrogen, laser
cooling applications with magnesium
ions, beryllium ions or mercury atoms
require DUV lasers. In the visible range,
applications like the two-photon Rydberg excitation of rubidium via the D1 or
D2 line, laser cooling of strontium, sodium, ytterbium (ions and atoms), are addressed with preconfigured TA-SHG pro
systems.

H
DLC 2 x Lyman α

LiBe

DLC Lithium
cooling
DLC TA pro 670
DLC DL pro 670

DLC Be+ coolingNa

Mg

DLC Sodium
cooling

DLC Mg+ coolingK

Ca

DLC TA pro 765
DLC DL pro 780

DLC Ca+ cooling
DLC DL pro 850
DLC DL pro HP 420
DLC DL pro HP 397
DLC DL pro 850

Key Features

A modified FHG cavity design allows for unprecedented DUVoutput power and stability. Warranty included.

· Specifications matched toexperimental requirements· One laser head (DL pro master laser+ tapered amplifier + air-sealed SHG
pro stage + 2nd SHG stage for FHG
systems) and DLC pro rack
· Tunable single-frequency emission
with < 500 kHz linewidth and
10 mW - 1500 mW output power(TOPSeller dependent)

Other popular applications are quantum
information storage in nitrogen vacancy
centers, in praeseodymium or europium.
Characteristics and specifications arematched to the requirements of the respective application. TOPSellers areproven and recommended by TOPTICA
customers.

TOPTICA’s frequency-converted systems are ready for a multitude of applications with their standard configuaration.
For customers wanting to go one stepfurther, the following customizations areavailable:

SUV· Excellent beam profile of all output
beams· Probe-beam output of fundamental
laser beam (and SHG beam in FHG
systems)

AutoAlign
Automated alignment of beams coupled to TA, SHG and FHG
cavities, and FiberMon. No compromising of passive stability AutoAlign is 100% switched off during normal operation.
FiberMon
Allows measurement of the SHG output power propagating in asingle-mode, polarization-maintaining (SM-PM) fiber for PowerLock
and AutoAlign. Two wavelength regions are available.
FiberDock
Fiber coupling of various output beams: Fundamental probe beam,
SHG probe beam, and SHG output beam.
High PowerAt certain wavelengths, high power tapered amplifiers areavailable. The option includes high-current driving electronics anda high- power capable SHG stage.

· SHG pro key features see page 36
EOM

Rb

Sr

Pr

DLC Ryberg Rb I
DLC Ryberg Rb II
DLC TA pro 780
DLC TA pro 795
DLC DL pro 780
DLC DL pro HP 420

DLC Sr cooling
DLC DL pro 461 HP
DLC DL pro 670
DLC DL pro HP 420

DLC Pr Storage

Cs

Ba

An EOM before the doubling cavity allows to independendly create
the PDH signal for laser locking. Advantageous for nondisturbed DL
pro operation and maximum mode-hop-free tuning range in caseof SHG cavity, and significant RIN reduction and suppression of UV
sidebands in case of FHG cavity.
Narrow Linewidth

DLC TA pro 850
DLC DL pro 850
DLC DL pro HP 461

Yb

Dy

Hg

DLC Yb cooling
DLC Yb+ cooling
DLC DL pro 369
DLC DL pro HP 637

DLC Dy cooling

DLC Mercury
Cooling

The DL pro master laser is replaced by a narrow-linewidth version.
Other master lasers (DFB/DBR) available upon request.
Advanced Locking
Laser-cooled Sr atoms.
Ch. Lisdat, PTB Braunschweig, Germany.

Various lock options from side-of fringe frequency stabilization to
PDH linewidth narrowing available. Modules like PDD 110/F, FALC
or DigiLock can be installed in the DLC ext extension rack, withshortest-possible cable length right next to the laser head (seechapter Laser Locking & Laser Driving).

A number of TOPSeller systems are available, e.g. for laser cooling or excitation of specific transitions. Listed in this cut-out of the periodic table
are all TOPTICA TOPSeller solutions for each element. Frequency-converted diode lasers are marked in bold letters. TOPSellers based on direct
diode lasers (see page 19) or amplified TA systems (see page 26) are mentioned for completeness.
TA-SHG pro TOPSeller

34

TOPSeller

2x Lymanalpha

Mercury
cooling

Mg+
coolingBe+
cooling

Yb+
CoolingCa+
Cooling

Strontium
Cooling

Rydberg
Rb I

Wavelength

243 nm254 nm

280 nm313 nm369.5 nm

397 nm461 nm473-481 nm

Output power

60 mW

60 mW

30 mW

300 mW

40 mW

1500 mW

700 mW

800 mW

Coarse tuning

1 nm

1 nm

2 nm

2 nm

1 nm

2 nm

4 nm

8 nm

TOPSeller

Rydberg
Rb II

Ytterbium
CoolingN-Vcenters

Sodiumcooling

Praseodymium
StorageDysprosium
Cooling

Lithium
Cooling

Wavelength479-488 nm

556 nm

575 nm589 nm

606 nm626 nm671 nmOutput power

1000 mW

400 mW

10 mW

1000 mW

800 mW

800 mW

800 mW

Coarse tuning

9 nm

5 nm

10 nm

4 nm

6 nm

10 nm

4 nm
www.toptica.com

TA, SHG Power [W]
FHG Power [mW]

6

(Raman) Fiber amplified systems
Fiber amplifiers can provide higher output power than diode lasers or tapered
amplifiers. Thus, output powers of DLSHG pro or DL-FHG pro systems canbe significantly increased by using such
amplifiers.
TOPTICA has extensive experience andaccess to the world‘s leading single-frequency high power fiber amplifier manufacturers. For example, the laser guidestar system uses a Raman fiber amplifier,and is capable of emitting 20 Watts of
output power around 589 nm from a
DL-RFA-SHG pro like system.
Similar systems are available at otherwavelengths (above 250 nm for FHG and
500 nm for SHG systems) on request.
Do not hesitate to challenge us!
DL pro7

TA-FHG pro TOPSeller

Exotic wavelengths
Exotic nonlinear crystals can be used
to overcome the stringent limits on thelowest possible SHG wavelength imposed by standard materials. For example, the potassium fluoroboratoberyllate (KBBF) crystal enables us to reachwavelengths below 200 nm. Anotheroption is sum-frequency generationfrom two different wavelengths in conventional crystals.

Power @ 193 nm (FHG)
Power @ 386 nm (SHG)
Power @ 772 nm (TA)

(R)FA

5
4
3
2
1
0
192

193

194

195

196

197

Output Wavelength [nm]
The KBBF crystal enables frequency doubling to FHG wavelengths below
205 nm.
www.toptica.com

Resonant doubling cavity

The versatility of TOPTICA’s lasers allows for straight forward
implementation of (Raman) fiber amplifiers.
35

SYST SHG pro
Stand-Alone Second Harmonic Generator
Key Features·A ir-sealed bow-tie cavity with highest
mechanical and thermal stability·C ustomized optics and AR-coated
NLO crystal selection·A nalog electronics for Pound-DreverHall locking with automatic relock
and temperature control for NLO
crystal included·A djustments with closed head /resonator

Specifications
Frequency-Converted Diode Lasers

Class 4 Laser Product EN 60825-1:2007. Visible or insible laser radiation.
Avoid eye or skin exposure to direct or scattered radiation. Caution - Class
4 visible and/or insivisble laser radiation when open. Avoid exposure to thebeam, avoid eye or skin exposure to direct or scattered radiation. Magnetic
fields may be present which may affect the operation of certain pacemakers.

Professional unit for frequency
doubling of cw lasers
The stand-alone Second-Harmonic Generator SHG pro is the device of choice forfrequency-doubling of existing cw lasers.
The SYST SHG pro package comprises
mode-matching optics for the externallaser, ultra-stable beam-steering mirrors,
electronics for Pound-Drever-Hall stabilization with automatic relocking of the resonator length and temperature control of the
NLO crystal, the bow-tie resonator in pro
design, and beam-shaping optics for thefrequency-doubled light.
The AR-coated NLO crystal and the mirror
coatings are specially selected according tocustomer requirements. The Double-Piezo
Lock – two integrated piezo-electric actuators for the stabilization of the resonator
length – can be added to the SHG pro.

Options

Specifications· EOM option: Independent low-noise
error signal generation· Fiber input· Fiber output of wavelengths
above 350 nm· Double-Piezo Lock with up to 30 kHz
bandwidth
One actuator, driven by a FALC 110
module, accomplishes high-bandwidth
locking while the other one is used inconjunction with a PID 110 for largeamplitude regulation. TOPTICA offers
competent technical support to adapt the
SHG pro to many varieties of existing laser
systems. The SYST SHG pro will be
installed and demonstrated on-site.

DL-SHG pro / TA-SHG pro

DL-FHG pro / TA-FHG pro

Center wavelengths

320 .. 680 nm* / 330 .. 780 nm*

225 .. 320 nm* / 190 .. 390 nm*

Typical power range

1 .. 40 mW / 10 .. 2000 mW

50 .. 1000 μW / 1 .. 500 mW

Typical tuning range

2 .. 20 nm

1 .. 4 nm

Typical mode-hop-free tuning range~ 20 GHz~ 30 GHz

Typ. linewidth (µs)< 200 kHz< 500 kHz< 200 MHz / K(typ. < 100 MHz / K)

< 400 MHz / K(typ. < 200 MHz / K)

Long-term frequency change with room temperature**
Spatial mode

Nearly diffraction limited, collimated, M² < 1.2 typ.

Beam height

50 mm

Probe-beam output

Fundamental light with ~ mW power level

Polarization
RIN 10 Hz ... 10 MHz (typ.)Linear, > 100:1< 0.2 %

<1%

Residual infrared unﬁltered<1%

SHG cavity leak rate
Specifications SHG pro
Wavelength range*

Warm-up time

410 nm - 1600 nm → 205 nm - 800 nm

Environment temperature

Optical conversion efficiency*,**< 10-3 mbar l s-1
Few minutes, depending on crystal temperature
Operation: 15 .. 30°C (non-condensing), transport: 0 .. 40°C

410 nm - 500 nm → 205 nm - 250 nm

5 - 10 %Operating voltage

100 .. 120 V / 220 .. 240 V AC, 50 .. 60 Hz (auto detect)

500 nm - 700 nm → 250 nm - 350 nm

12 - 20 %Power consumption

Typ. < 100 W, max. 300 W

700 nm - 900 nm → 350 nm - 450 nm

20 - 30 %Size laser head (H x W x D)

900 nm - 1600 nm → 450 nm - 800 nm

30 - 60 %Electronics

General characteristics
Beam quality

Nearly diffraction limited, single-mode fiber-coupling efficiency > 60 % @ 400 nm

Beam diameter1 - 2 mm

Beam height

50 mm

Tuning range> 60 GHz @ 400 nm output (continuous), 5-10 nm (coarse)

Polarization

Linear, > 100:1

Residual infrared

Typ. < 0.1 %Locking scheme***Pound-Drever-Hall with automatic relock, Double-Piezo Lock optional

Output power noise

Typ. < 1 % (depending on laboratory conditions and fundamental laser)

SHG cavity leak rate

cavity leak rate < 10-3 mbar l s-1

Dimensions (H x W x D)

90 x 216 x 400 mm3 (head) and 19“ control rack

90 x 410 x 485 mm390 x 410 x 692 mm³Single-stage 19“ rack DLC pro*Spectral coverage with gaps.
**Under stable laboratory conditions.

*Full wavelength range coverage requires several NLO crystals and mirrors, other wavelengths upon request.
**Assuming 1 W single-frequency (< 1 MHz linewidth) cw laser input. Max. output power may be limited by crystal and optics lifetime.
***May require additional EOM (purchase and integration from TOPTICA recommended)

Mode matching optics

Laser

PD

Beam shaping
opticsResonant doubling cavity

Schematic of SHG pro, stand-alone resonant
frequency-doubling cavity.
36

SYST SHG pro – flexible stand-alone secondharmonic generator for single-frequency cw lasers.
www.toptica.com

www.toptica.com

37

DLC pro
Digital Laser Controller
The DLC pro supports all lasers of
TOPTICA’s cw diode laser series: Alllaser systems in the lab may be operated
via the same intuitive user interfaces orcommand language.

Features·C urrent, temperature and piezo controller
with lowest noise and drift

A well-configured ReLock mechanism
greatly increases an experiment‘s uptime,
especially when it involves several lasers.

· No fans for cooling required: High reliability
and low acoustic noise·S ignal display with hardware zoom
(changes scan parameters to zoom
into spectrum, etc.)·S can generator and X/Y, time- andfrequency (FFT) display· Side- and top-of-fringe locking*Electronic Control for Passive Stability and Active Locking

38·F ree software updates available on
www.toptica.com

Frequency Noise· Break-out cable for digital lines· DLC pro Lock: Enabling of frequency
locking features via software key.

105

10n

DCC 1101n

10DLC pro CC-500
Detection Limit at 10 Ω
1

10

100

Frequency
Frequency[Hz][Hz]

1k

10k

1000

DLC DL pro
SYST DL pro

103

32

102

10

100k

100

1k

10k

1E-3
1E-4
1E-5
-1.5

www.toptica.com

-1.0

-0.5
0.0
0.5
Frequency[MHz]
Frequency[Hz]

Right: Frequency noise density of thelaser light created with a DLC DL pro
and a SYST DL pro.

100k

1.0

1.5

2.0

50

25.00
24.95

45

Climate Chamber Temperature [°C]

Beatsignal
signal[a.u.]
Beat[a.u.]

0.01-2.0

Left: Comparison of the current noise
density of the current control modules.

Frequency [Hz]DLC proSYS DC 110

0.1

316
100

4

1

www.toptica.com· Systems with frequency multiplexing
available with DLC pro control:- DLC DL-SHG pro- DLC TA-SHG pro- DLC DL-FHG pro- DLC TA-FHG pro

Linear Spectral Density [Hz/ Hz]

106

100n

100p
100m

Easy operation of lasers with either an included computer
program or at the laser controller directly.

·The direct laser systems available with
DLC pro control:- DLC DL pro- DLC DL pro HP- DLC DFB pro- DLC CTL
- DLC TA pro* These features are enabled with
the DLC pro Lock software license.

Power Spectral Density [Hz2/Hz]

TOPTICA also provides a number ofelectronic modules for locking laser
systems, e.g. DigiLock, the first digital laser
locking solution or the analog FALC 110,
the fastest locking electronic. The DLC ext
allows to combine these electronic
modules with the DLC pro.

Noise on any of these outputs increases
the laser linewidth. For laser frequency
stabilization and linewidth narrowing,
various locking schemes are used andrequire a variety of compatible options (seepages 10).
The digital DLC pro represents the latest
stage of development of laser control
electroncis. Its noise and drift properties
are even better than the well establishedand widely used preceeding electronics
SYS DC 110, which is still available aseconomic solution.

·T otal remote control: PC GUI (included)and commands via TCP/IP and USB, e.g.
for LabView or Python control programs

The DLC pro also offers laser-frequency
locking enabled by a software license: A
30 day trail version is included. It has neverbeen so easy to scan and lock a laser!

Options

The DLC pro Lock is a software licencethat enables the frequency lock of DLC
pro controlled lasers at bandwidth of up to
30 kHz. Both, top-of-fringe and side-of-fringe locks are enabled - including
the modulation of the laser frequency andthe demodulation of the spectroscopic
signal.

· Lock detection and ReLock*

Laser Head[°C] [°C]
Laser
HeadTemperature
Temperature

Wide mode-hop-free tuning with Littrow
setups requires a well-defined interplay
between piezo actuator and current
driver. Drifts of the laser diode current,
the temperature or the piezo voltage
determine the drift of the laser frequency
and the stability against mode-hopping.

The DLC pro offers intuitive dial andmulti-touch control on a 7” capacitive
touch display. Remote control ispossible via USB and Ethernet (TCP/IP),
using either a graphical user interface
on a standard PC, which is specificallydeveloped for the DLC pro and included
with the system, or through a vast set ofsoftware commands.

· Two PIDs, lock-in signal generator*

1/2 1/2]
Current
Density[A/Hz[A/Hz
CurrentNoise
Noise Density]

Apart from a well-engineered optomechanical design and the integrated
laser diode, the most important part of atunable diode laser system is its driving
electronics, which is responsible for getting
the most out of a laser system.

DLC pro — All-digital diode laser controller.

The advantages of using a digital control are starting to become available:
A Power Lock allows for an active stabilization of the power, using an internal
photodiode if available, to compensate
for slow degradation of alignment or laser
diode performance. Moreover, it is possible to use the included air pressure sensor
to compensate for length changes in thelaser cavity and hence improve the stability
against mode-hopping even further.

·P ower Lock via control of current oflaser diode or tapered amplifier current
in kHz range

LASER LOCKING & LASER DRIVINGTOPTICA’s DLC pro is a fully digital
controller for tunable diode lasers, offeringa new level of stability and lowest noise
while allowing intuitive and comfortable
control. Zooming into a Doppler-free line
on a touch display and locking by tapping
the desired peak opens up a completely
new way of working with lasers.

40

DLC proSYS DC 110

35

24.90

30
25

24.85

20
15

24.80
24.75
00:00

Left: Delayed self-heterodyne linewidth
measurement. Due to the long coherence length periodic modulation appears.
The linewidth is obtained from the modulation depth (see page 9).

10

Climate Chamber Temperature
03:00

06:00

09:00

Time
[hh:mm]Time[hh:mm]

12:00

15:00

5

Right: Temperature of a DL pro laser head
connected to a laser control electronics,
which is located in a climate chamber andexposed to the temperature sequence
shown by the blue line.
39Specifications
DLC proPDD 110/F, FALC 110 and mFALC 110
High-Bandwidth Linewidth Control with Optional Analog Mixer

Specifications

DLC pro Specifications
General / MCOperator controls
Display

Touch display, 10 push buttons,
4 knobs, 1 key switch
7 inch, 800 x 480 pixels, 262k colors

Touch panel

Projective capacitive (PCT)with multi-touch capability

Interfaces

Ethernet and USB

Inputs / Outputs
Analog inputs (BNC)

2x (24 bit, DC .. 300 kHz)2x (16 /10 bits, DC .. 300 kHz / 1.7 MHz)

Input range, impedance-4 V .. + 4V, 10 kOhm

Analog outputs, BNC

2x (16 bit, DC .. 300 kHz)

Output range, impedance-4 V .. + 4V (no load), 50 Ohm

Digital inputs**

4x TTL, 10 kOhm, Sub-HD 15-pin

Digital outputs**

4x TTL, 50 kOhm, Sub-HD 15-pin

Current Control

CC-500CC-5000*

Max. laser current

2x 245 mA or
1x 490 mA (selectable)

5000 mA

Max. laser voltage

7 V @ 360 mA,
5 V @ 490 mA

3.5 V

Smallest current step

0.015 μA

5 μA

Current noise density

280 pA/√(Hz)@ 1 kHz120 nA/√(Hz)

Low-frequency current
noise (0.1 Hz ... 10 Hz)< 50 nA p-p

10 µA p-pTemperature coefficientof laser current<3 ppm/K typ.
after >1 h warm-up

100 HzLong-term stabilityof laser current< 100 ppm/√(khrs)
after >1 h warm-up

Modulation bandwidth

DC to 15 kHz .. 30 kHz(depending on laser diode)

100 HzPiezo Control PC

Temperature Control TC
Smallest set-temperature step
Act. temperature noise(100 μHz ... 1 Hz)

50 μK

Piezo voltage range-1 V .. +140 V< 300 μK p-p

Max. piezo current(charge/decharge)

25 mA

Repeatability of actual temp.

< 0.001 K after >1h warm-up

0.01 mV

Temperature coeff. of actual
temperature

Smallest piezo voltage
step< 140 ppm K/K after >1h warm-up

Voltage noise density

140 nV/√(Hz) @ 1 kHz

Temperature coefficient of piezo voltage< 40 ppm/K

Small-signal bandwidth

3 kHz (0 load)

Environment / Supply
Voltage requirements

100 - 240 V~, 50/60 Hz

Power requirements< 220 W, typ. 35 W, no active cooling fansSize (H x W x D)
Weight

154 mm x 450 mm x 348 mm
8.0 kg (with MC, CC-500, PC, TC)

PDD 110/F – fast Pound-Drever-Halldetector module
The Pound-Drever-Hall Detector PDD
110/F serves to lock a diode laser to the
maximum of an absorption, reflection ortransmission feature, such as an opticalresonator or an atomic line. The module
generates an HF modulation signal thatacts either on the laser current, or on anelectro- or acousto-optic modulator (EOM,
AOM). A phase-sensitive detector unit
demodulates the spectroscopic signal(1)and produces an error signal, which, inturn, serves as input for a PID regulator(e.g. FALC 110).
FALC 110 - highest bandwidth forfrequency locking
The Fast Analog Linewidth Controller
FALC 110, a high-speed control ampliﬁer,
performs advanced frequency stabilization tasks, such as laser linewidth reduction or high-bandwidth frequency locking.
The module is compatible with any of
TOPTICA’s tunable diode lasers such as
the DL pro, DL 100 and DL DFB.

*For TA pro systems. Two CC-5000 can be combined to drive
one amplifier chip at up to 10 A.
**Optional break-out cable with 8 SMB connectors available.

Pound-Drever-Hall detection scheme.

DLC ext
Combination of DLC pro with fast locking modules
The DLC ext allows extending the
DLC pro with TOPTICA’s well-established fast locking modules. These modules
DigiLock and FALC (see next page)
provide high performance laser locking if
a faster feedback than available with the
DLC pro Lock option is needed.

Researchers using the FALC 110 highly
benefit from a fast circuit layout. At 10 MHz
there is a phase delay of less than 45 degrees, and the bandwidth of the fastest
signal path reaches 100 MHz.
In a typical setup, the fast output of the FALC
110 controls the current of an ECDL or DFB
laser. Additionally, a slow integrator cancels
out long-term frequency drifts, by acting
either on the grating piezo of an ECDL, oron the temperature of a DFB laser.
mFALC 110 – the solution for phaselocking
The mixing FALC (mFALC 110) extends
the functionality of the FALC 110 byintegrating an additional analog mixer. The
module accomplishes fast phase-lockingof two diode lasers to a local RF oscillator:
The beat signal of the two lasers is mixed
with and phase-stabilized to the external
RF source.
Sub-Hertz linewidths
The design works: Researchers at MPQ
Garching locked two diode lasers to two
high-ﬁnesse cavities with a resulting beatwidth of less than 0.5 Hz(1). Sub-Hertz
frequency stabilization of a DL pro with
FALC was shown at the MPL Erlangen(2).
And scientists at the University of Frankfurt used the mFALC to maintain a stablephase lock of two DL DFB lasers to a local
RF oscillator, and employed this setup forcoherent terahertz imaging(3).

FALC 110, mFALC 110

Input section

Input section

Error signal generated Dispersive error signal for top-of-fringe locking

Inputs

Output section· Supports up to two modules, any two
PDD 110, FALC 110, mFALC 110 and
DigiLock 110· 4 BNC signal outputs for access tobackplane signals· External power supply with automatic
mains voltage detection

Beat measurement of two indepen­dent ECDLs
locked to two high-finesse ULE cavities, one ofthem using FALC 110. The beat width was lessthan 0.5 Hz over 8 s. The inset shows the phasestability of the beat note filtered with a 100 Hz
low-pass filter (J. Alnis, MPQ Garching).

PDD 100/F

Modulation frequency 20 MHz (default), adjustable from 12 .. 35 MHz

Features

PDD 110/F — Pound-Drever-Hall detectors.
FALC 110 — Fast Analog Linewidth Controller.
mFALC 110 — FALC with integrated mixer.

HF output amplitude
1 V pp (+4 dBm) @ 50 ΩSecond-harmonic> 30 dB typ.
suppression
General specifications
Adjustable LO phase
0° - 190°, inversion +/- 180°
at mixer
Total signal delay< 12 ns (100 MHz bandwidth)
Number of detection 1 (2 possible with PDD 110/F DUAL)
channels

Laser system DLC DL pro extended by a
DLC ext equipped with a DigiLock.

Two high-speed differential inputs,
adjustable input offset

Fast circuit branch
PID regulator
DC gain

Signal delay < 15 ns,
Phase delay < 45° @ 10 MHz
15 dB .. 80 dB

Output voltage range Max. ± 2 V @ 50 Ω
Slow integrator
Bandwidth
DC gain10 kHz, for grating piezo or
laser temperature control
Typ. 110 dB

Output voltage range Max. ± 5 V, high-impedance load
RF input (beat signal of two lasers, mFALC only)
Frequency range

10 MHz .. 200 MHz

Max. input voltage

5 V DC, 4.5 V pp AC

LO input (local oscillator, to be mixed with RF input, mFALC only)

140

www.toptica.com

J. Alnis et al., Phys. Rev. A 77, 53809, (2008).

www.toptica.com

2

Frequency range

10 MHz .. 200 MHz, sine wave preferred

Max. input voltage

2 V DC, 2.8 V pp AC

Y. N. Zhao et al., Opt. Commun. 283, 4696, (2010).

3

F. Friederich et al., Opt. Express 18:8, 8621, (2010).

41

DigiLock 110
Digital Feedback Controlyzer for Laser Locking and Analysis·S can generator· Laser control· Multi-channel Oscilloscope· Controller Design· Dual PID + P· Click & Lock
· Pound-Drever-Hall· AutoLock & ReLock· Lock-in· Computer control· Spectrum analysis· Network analysis

With the feature displayed on the screen,
one can then simply “Click & Lock” to any
peak or slope. For optimizing lock parameters, spectral analysis of error signals canbe performed, as well as measurements ofactuator transfer functions.
DigiLock 110 – flexibility and perfection
Flexibility and per­fection both originate from the under­
lying tech­
nology: The
hard­ware is based on a fast FPGA (Field
Programmable Gate Array). To­gether withAs shown with FALC 110, it was possible
to also achieve sub-Hz linewidths with the
DigiLock 110, uti­­lizing the high-bandwidth
analog bypass.
Intelligence in laser stabilization
The DigiLock 110 tries to support thelaser user wherever possible. In addition to
the aforementioned features, the DigiLock
can be configured to detect whether thefrequency is locked – locked in general –or even whether the laser is locked to theright position.
It is for example possible to define a
voltage window in a Doppler-broadened
spectroscopy signal, that contains only
one transition of the corresponding
Doppler-free signal, thus allowing thelaser to only lock to this particular peak (seeAutoLock & ReLock example, page 43).
Once out of lock, the DigiLock can start
searching, at pre-set speed, over aconfigurable width, until the voltage lies
within the locking window again and thelaser is tightly locked. The automatic
relock makes frequent manual readjustments obsolete.

Value

Unit

Comment

Scan frequency

0.1 - 33 x 106

Hz

Bandwidth limited on some channels

Waveform types

Sine, triangle, square, sawtoothns

ADC and DAC latency includedns

ADC and DAC latency included

PID function 1
Signal latency

200

Parameters

P, I, D, I cut-off

PID function 2
Signal latency

200

Parameters

P, I, D

Analog P function
Bandwidth

21 MHz (-3 dB, 200° phase)

Lock-In function
Modulation frequency

0.012 – 781

kHz

Modulation frequency

1.56, 3.13, 6.25, 12.5, 25

MHz

Input
channels

Bandwidth(-3 dB) (Hz)Range (V)

Impedance(Ohm)
50

Pound-Drever-Hall function

Resolution Sample(bit)rate (Hz)Main in

14

100 M

14 M

± 2.1

Aux in

14

100 M

15 M

± 2.1

50

Precise in

16

200 k

50 k

± 2.0

10 k

DCC Iact

16

100 k

15 k

± 13.140 k

SYS DC 110 backplane

16

100 k

15 k

± 13.140 k

SYS DC 110 backplane

16

100 k

15 k

± 12.547 k

Normally used as output

AIO 2 in

16

100 k

15 k

± 12.5

47 k

27 M

± 1.0

50

Sum inOutputchannels
Main in

Resolution Sample(bit)rate (Hz)14
100 M

Bandwidth(-3 dB) (Hz)19 M

Bandwidth between <Sum in> and <Main out>

Range (V) 50 Ohm driver Comment
± 1.0

Yes

Aux in

14

100 M

19 M

± 1.0

Yes

SC 110 out

21

100 k

18 k

± 6.5

No

SYS DC 110 backplane; amplification by 15 with SC 110

DCC Iset

21

100 k

18 k

± 6.5

No

SYS DC 110 backplane

DTC Iset

16

100 k

18 k

± 6.5

No

SYS DC 110 backplane

AIO 1 out

16

100 k

16 k

± 6.5

No

AIO 2 out

Sum of <Sum in> and analog P branch

16

100 k

16 k

± 6.5

No

Normally used as input

Sum in

27 M

± 1.0

50

Error out

20 M

± 1.7

Yes

Bandwidth between <Sum in> and <Main out>
Error out = (<Main in> + <Input Offset>) x Gain/2; bandwidth
between <Main in> and <Error out>

0, 2.6

Yes

TRIG
620m

884

-320m

140m

600m

750

-400m

130m

580m
500

540m
520m
480m

0

460m

-250

21.8

21.9

22
22.1
SC110 out [V]

22.2

100m
90m

-550m

440m

380m

110m

-500m

80m

-600m

70m

-650m

60m

-700m

50m
40m

-750m

-500

-800m

-515
22.3

-850m

Aux in [V]

250

500m

360m

120m

-450m

560m

400m

30m
20m
0m

10m

20m

Time [s]

30m

40m

50m

10m

“Click & Lock”:“AutoLock & ReLock”:“Spectrum and Network analysis”:

The user can click on the slope position or
on any maximum or minumum. The laserscans to this position, and the DigiLockactivates the lock.

The DigiLock enables/disables multiple PIDs
and an analog P component simultaneously.
Once in lock, the error signal is plotted against
the scan voltage for monitoring. The user candefine voltage windows to allow the DigiLockto lock to certain features only, and initiate asearch if the voltage lies outside the window.

The DigiLock can show the spectrum of an error
signal, for example to reveal oscillations.
Actuator transfer functions and bandwidth
can be measured by sweeping a modulation
to an actuator and measuring the response inamplitude and phase. The picture shows ameasurement of the DL pro piezo resonancefrequency.

DigiLock‘s graphical user interface.
www.toptica.com

Input signal <Main in> has to be between ± 3.5 V, <Input Offset>
and amplification can be controlled from DigiLock Software

AIO 1 in

420m

42

Comment

DTC Tact

LI out [a.u.]

Multiple DigiLocks and remote control
The latest software version of the
DigiLock 110 offers control of up to four
DigiLocks from one computer. Also,re­mote control via TCP/IP is now available,
so the DigiLock can be integrated in
automated experiments and controlled byother hard- and software.

Functionality

Main in [V]Features

In addition to standard functions like side-of-fringe and top-of-fringe locking,the DigiLock 110 offers computer
control over the laser, signal visualization,and signal analysis. In AutoLock mode,
the user can modify the scan parametersof the laser by dragging the mouse, andzoom into a feature of a spectrum on thesoftware oscilloscope screen.

nu­merous high-speed and high-pre­cision
AD and DA converters, the FPGA provides the needed flexibility with sufficientband­width. The large bandwidth, in fact,
allows for substantially reducing diode laser linewidths: using two DigiLocks 110 tolock two DL pro to one FPI 100, a beatwidth of less than 300 Hz was measured.

Captured scan [V]Main in [V]DigiLock 110 — A versatile, digital locking
module for DLC ext or SYS DC 110 electronics.

Laser stabilization easier than everSelfmade solutions for stabilization tasks
often involved a heap of electronics,
soldering, trial and error, and frustration.
The DigiLock 110 is TOPTICA’s versatilesolution: a digital locking module, flexible
to solve locking tasks with perfection,and yet easy to use thanks to intelligent
software control with a clear and comfortable graphical user interface.

DigiLock 110
Digital Feedback Controlyzer for Laser Locking and Analysis

www.toptica.com

www.toptica.com

43

Free Space Optical Isolators
High Power Tunable Single and Dual Stage Performance
TOPTICA’s isolators enable state of the art
protection for the most stable lasers in theworld. These are the same components
already used by TOPTICA in the industryleading DL pro, DL 100, TA-SHG pro,and TA-FHG pro product lines. They havebeen demonstrated to effectively reduce
feedback in external cavity diode laser
systems, block reflections from free-space
fiber coupling, increase power stabilization in optical systems, and eliminate feedback-induced damage to sensitive opticalcomponents. The same superior isolatorsthat make TOPTICA lasers the industry
standard are now offered individually.

TOPTICA’s product line of Faraday opticalisolators are specially designed and manufactured in-house by the laser experts of
TOPTICA to give industry leading performance in single and dual stage configurations. Single stage devices provide at least
38 dB isolation and 85 % transmission(>43 dB and >92 % average) over individual wavelength ranges in total spanning395 - 425 nm and 630 - 1400 nm. Dualstage models provide at least 60 dB isolation and 80 % transmission (> 67 dB and>90 % average) over individual wavelength
ranges in total spanning 640 - 1100 nm. All
models are wavelength adjustable and canhandle power densities up to 4 kW / cm2.

PHOTONICALS
Laser Diodes and Accessories
Photonic accessories and laboratory tools
are just as important as the laser itself.
Researchersinmodernopticallaboratories need to prepare their laser
beams in the requested shape, separate
them from undesired feedback, control

the spectral performance and monitor
the wavelength, to name just a few
everyday tasks.
TOPTICA offers a variety of Photonicals– instruments and components that
upgrade, refine or characterize lasers.

We focus on a “selection of the best”:
Unique components and top-grade
instruments that are extremely useful inthe daily operation of diode lasers.
For detailed product specifications, pleaserefer to our website www.toptica.com.

TOPTICA offers single-stage and dual-stage
optical isolators.

Key Features· High power damage threshold(4 kW / cm2)
· Highest guaranteed isolation inindustry> 38 dB (single stage)> 60 dB (dual stage)· High transmission· Wavelength coverage 395-425 nm,
630-1400 nm· All internal components angled 1° toeliminate back reflections· 4.7 mm clear aperture· All isolators are wavelength
adjustable

Other wavelengths and broadband isolators as well as OEM customizations
are available upon request. Additional
wavelengths spanning the UV to NIR
regions are also available for integration
into our scientific laser systems.

High isolation, transmission, and power densities are achieved with precision
polarizers and precisely designed Faradayrotator elements. Most isolators havemagnetically locked and removable protective endcaps and mounting fixtures.
All internal optical components are angled
to eliminate collinear back reflections.
Extensive individual, wavelength-specifictesting guarantees performance of eachisolator. All optical sub-components areinspected upon receipt, and all assembled devices are tested for transmission
and isolation over their design wavelength
ranges before shipment.
Single Stage Isolators
Model
Design Wavelength [nm]

SSR405

SSR650

SSR690

SSR730

SSR780

SSR835

SSR885

SSR945

405

650

690

730

780

835

885

945

Tunable Wavelength Range [nm]395-425630-670670-710710-750

750-810810-860

860-910905-985

Fixed Operation Range* [+/- nm]

2.5

5

6

6.5

7

7.5

8

9

Clear Aperture

4.7 mmIsolation at Design Wavelength(Min/Ave)

38/43 dB

Operating Temperature Range

SSR1150

SSR1250

SSR1350

1150

1250

1350

1100-1200 1200-1300 1300-1400
10

10

10

15 °C to 40 °C, non-condensing

Storage & Transport

Shock 25 g / 10 ms., Vibration 3 g (15-100 Hz), 0 °C to 60 °C non-condensing*with respect to design wavelength >35 dB and >85 %Dual Stage Isolators
Model

Design Wavelength [nm]Laser Diodes· Unique selection of FP, AR and DFB diodes, 369 .. 3500 nm· Tapered amplifier chips, 660...1495 nm with up to 3.5 W· All diodes and amplifiers extensively tested and qualified· Check our regularly updated diode and TA chip stock list:

FiberDock − Patented ultra-stable precise
6-axes mount for convenient single-mode
fiber coupling.

www.laser-diodes.com

DSR660

DSR700

DSR740

DSR780

DSR820

DSR880

DSR950

DSR1020

DSR1070

660

700

740

780

820

880

950

1020

1070

Tunable Wavelength Range [nm]640-680680-720720-760

760-805

800-865860-930930-995

995-1050

1050-1100

Fixed Operation Range* [+/- nm]

6

6.5

7

7.5

8

10

11.5

12

12

Clear Aperture
Isolation at Design Wavelength(Min/Ave)
Operating Temperature Range
Storage & Transport

4.7 mm60 / 67 dB
15 °C to 40 °C, non-condensing
Shock 25 g / 10 ms., Vibration 3 g (15-100 Hz), 0 °C to 60 °C non-condensing*with respect to design wavelength >60 dB and >80 %44

www.toptica.com

www.toptica.com

45

Difference Frequency Comb (DFC)

TOPTICA’s frequency comb productline is a modular system that supports
a broad variety of applications. Threebasic versions of the DFC are available:
DFC CORE, DFC CORE+ and DFC SEED.
All models use TOPTICA proprietary
CERO-technology to achieve an unprecedented low-noise performance.

TOPTICA PRODUCT PORTFOLIO
Completed Overview
TOPTICA develops and manufactureshigh-end laser systems for scientificand industrial applications. Our productportfolio includes diode lasers, ultrafast
fiber lasers, terahertz systems andfrequency combs for markets such as
quantum technologies, biophotonics ormaterials test & measurement.
Scientists – including over a dozen
Nobel laureates – and OEM customers
acknowledge the world-class specifications of TOPTICA’s lasers, as well as
their reliability, longevity and their ease ofuse. With about 230 employees, TOPTICA
takes always pride in developing new
products to continuously push their limits
or in specifically designing customized
systems.

TOPTICA’s tunable diode lasers areappreciated for excellent coherence, widetuning range and unique power/wavelength
coverage. Our non-tunable single-mode
diode lasers are also available in singlefrequency versions or multi-laser engines.
Already since 2004, we provide ultrafast
fiber lasers which quickly matured frommerely scientific products to fully handsoff and reliable OEM instruments while
maintaining required characteristics likehigh power, short pulses and appropriate
repetition rate. Both, tunable diode laser aswell as ultrafast fiber lasers, are the basisof our THZ product line which is worldwide unique in performance and versatility.
Thanks to our experience and a unique,patented technology, we were able totransfer the reliability of our OEM-typeultrafast fiber lasers to ultimately coherent,
phase-stable and repetition rate controlled
high-end systems. As culmination of ourportfolio, we can even combine frequency
combs with tunable and phase-locked
single-frequency diode lasers to deliver
optical frequencies as a package.

The DFC CORE and its high performanceversion DFC CORE+ come with a digital
oscilloscope for beat monitoring and a
GPS disciplined RF reference included.
They both provide 4 or optionally 8 phasestable outputs at 1560 nm.
Several extension modules are available
that can convert the DFC CORE / DFC
CORE+ outputs to any wavelength

Such a DFC system can be combined withany of TOPTICA’s tunable diode lasers toachieve a complete, frequency-referenced
laser system including wavelength meterand counter all from one source.
Spectral Interferometry
The performance of the CERO-technology
is best characterized by means of spectralinterferometry. The dedicated setup
consists of an f-2f interferometer with
optical spectrum analyzer which records
optical fringes at the output. It measures
the absolute phase stability of the fCEO
cancelation with respect to an independent
reference. The figure shows a spectrogramof the interference fringes recorded over atime of 20 seconds. The high interference
contrast is stable over the full time spanand no offset phase drift is observed. The
measurement shows a RMS phase stabilityof 8 mrad over 20 s, which is limited by thestability of the f-2f interferometer. The realphase stability of the DFC is expected tobe below this value.
Find out more about TOPTICA’s
Difference Frequency Comb in our
dedicated frequency comb brochure.

1095
1090
Wavelength (nm)between 420 nm and 2200 nm. The
extension modules can be upgraded at
any time after purchase of the DFC CORE
and are interchangeable between outputs.
In addition, beam combiner (DFC BC) andbeat detector (DFC MD) units are available
to provide RF beats between the DFC
comb lines and cw lasers. The RF output
signal of the DFC MD can be counted
to determine the frequency of the cw
laser. It also enables phase or frequency
stabilization of the cw laser to the DFC
using e.g. TOPTICA’s locking modules
mFALC or DigiLock. In the DFC CORE+
version, the RF output signal can also be
used to stabilize the DFC to the cw laser
which serves as optical reference.

1085
1080
1075
1070
1065
1060

Phase (mrad)

Inherently CEP-stable modular
frequency combs
The operating principle of the offset-freeDifference Frequency Comb relies on
generating a broadband supercontinuum
from the output of a low noise Er-fibermode-locked oscillator and subsequent
optical Difference Frequency Generation(DFG) between the low- and highfrequency parts of the octave spanningspectrum in a nonlinear crystal. The mostimportant features are an improved stability
and a more simple and reliable, all passive
frequency offset stabilization. The comb isfree from fluctuations of the offset-phaseand offset-frequency due to the common
mode suppression of the two parts of theoriginal spectrum. Additionally, the carrier
envelope offset frequency fCEO of the DFC
is fixed to zero.

25
0
-25
-50

0

5

10

Time (s)15

20

Typical result of spectral interferometry forout-of-loop measurement of the CEP stability.

Key Features· Patented CERO-technology („zerofCEO”) with intrinsic CEP stability· RMS phase stability < 35 mrad
· Frequency stability < 8·10-14 @ 1s
(measured with RF reference), orsame as reference· < 0.04 % RMS power fluctuations·O ne free parameter frep with up
to 3 control elements (oscillator
temperature, piezo, pump current)and > 400 kHz bandwidth

From several places in Germany, USA andJapan and including a global distribution
network we provide exceptional service
and application consulting worldwide.
Founded in 1998 near Munich (Germany),
TOPTICA became one of the leading laser
photonics companies by consistently
delivering high-end products.

46

www.toptica.com

www.toptica.com

47

Single-Mode, Single-Frequency & Multi-Laser Engines

ps / fs Fiber Lasers

TOPTICA’s single-mode diode lasers set
new standards in terms of power, low noise and convenient OEM integration. They
come with diffraction limited TEM00 output
and reliable spectral properties, as well as
optional robust fiber coupling. Compact
design and low power consumption makethem superior to old-fashioned, bulky andinefficient gas lasers. Multi-laser engines
seamlessly integrate several wavelengths
into true one-box laser systems – switching between colors has never beeneasier. The systems‘ flexibility and easeof use enable straightforward deep integration into any customer’s system design.

iBeam smart· Single-mode diode lasers· TEM00, M2 < 1.2· 375 nm .. 785 nm· 50 mW .. 300 mW· cw and pulsed operation· Optional fiber output

TopMode· 405 nm, 445 nm, 488 nm, 515 nm,
633 nm, 685 nm, 785 nm· 20 mW .. 500 mW· < 25 MHz linewidth,> 5 m coherence length· Charm coherence control (TopMode)· Compact ultrafast fiber laser· OEM one-box design· All PM fiber setup· 2000 nm, 1560 nm,
1064 nm, 1030 nm, 780 nm· Pulse duration < 60 fs .. 10 ps

FemtoFiber pro· Versatile ultrafast fiber laser· 1560 nm, 1030 nm,
780 nm, 980-2200 nm, 830-1100 nm,
488-640 nm· Pulse duration 25 fs .. 1 ps
· Multi-arm synchronized

Visit www.toptica.com/products to findout more details. OEM and researchinquiries welcome.

iChromeFemtoFiber ultra

Ideal for· Confocal microscopy· Live-cell imaging· Ellipsometry· Flow cytometry· Interferometry· Microlithography· Microplate readout· Retina scanning· Multi-laser engines· 4 to 8 laser lines in one box· Various power/wavelength options· PM fiber output· Direct modulation up to 20 MHz· COOLAC – hands-off, self-aligning system

Ultrafast technology has seen a tremendous success since it was introduced.
Many promising applications haveemerged, benefiting mainly from the highpeak power and ultrashort pulse duration,
which give rise to nonlinear effects andopen new paths in engineering andscientific research.

FemtoFiber smart· High-power ultrafast fiber laser· 0.5 W @ 780 nm· 5 W @ 1050 nm· < 150 fs pulse duration· TEM00, M2 < 1.2

Ideal for· Multiphoton / SHG microscopy· Supercontinuum generation· Material processing (seeder)· Semicon inspection· Two-photon polymerization· Time-domain terahertz· Pump-probe spectroscopy· Optical coherence tomography· Attosecond science

FemtoFiber dichro
200

250

100

200

80

Power [mW]

150
100
50

TopMode· “Two-color” ultrafast fiber laser· Broadband mid-IR source· 5 - 15 µm (20 - 60 THz)
· Output power > 0.5 mW

iBeam smart WS

60
40
20
0

375 395 405 420 445 460 473 488 505 515 633 640 660 685 785
Wavelength [nm]pro TVIS (< 1 ps)
10000
10000

405 445 488 515 633

pro NIR (< 150 fs)

638 685 785

ultra 780

Wavelength [nm]1000

pro TNIR (< 250 fs / < 1ps)

1000

iChrome MLE

iChrome SLE

iChrome CLE
Power [mW]60

ultra 1050

100
100

pro UCP (25 fs)
pro SCIR

10
10

pro IRS-II (< 40 fs)

40

dichro midIR

11

1200

1400

1600

1800

2000

2200

Wavelength [nm]Wavelength [nm]Output power / wavelength chart of TOPTICA’s single-mode (top left) and single-frequency (top right) diode lasers as well as multi-laser engines (bottom).
48

www.toptica.com

2400

5000

10000

15000

0

1000

00

800

15

600

00

400

0

0.1
0.1

50

640

24
00

594

22
00

568

20
00

561

18
00

532

16
00

515

14
00

488

Wavelength [nm]

12
00

473

10
00

460

0

445

80

420

0

405

60

0

0

20

40

Power [mW]80

pro SCYb (150 fs)

Power [mW]

100

00

0

TopMode + iBeam smart WS: Free-space output

10

Power [mW]300

iBeam smart: Free-space output

The key for successful use or integrationof ultrafast technology is a robust system with simple push-button operation.
TOPTICA offers cost-effective optimized
products fulfilling these requirements:
Ultrafast fiber lasers based on erbiumand ytterbium-doped active fibers. All
systems use TOPTICA’s FemtoFibertechnology, incorporating polarizationmaintaining fibers, saturable absorbermirror mode-locking, and reliable telecom components. Visit www.toptica.com/
products/psfs-fiber-lasers to learn more
about our products.

Output power / wavelength chart of TOPTICA’s ultrafast fiber lasers.
www.toptica.com

49

100
100
80
80

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

1600

2000

1600 2000

3000

3000

FHG-SUV (pages 31, 33)

FHG (pages 33-34)

SHG (page 36)

Frequency [THz]

Typical THz spectrum as obtained with frequency-domain system
TeraScan.

www.toptica.com

Wavelength [nm]Wavelength
[nm]

1400

1400

1200

2.5

200

0.0

200

00

0.1
0.1

Typical THz spectrum as obtained with time-domain system
TeraFlash.

6

11

5

10
10

4

100
100

3

1000
1000

2

10000
10000

1

Power [mW]0Frequency [THz]50

TA (pages (24-29)

20
20

20
20
00

40
40

400

40
40

60
60

400

Dynamic range [dB]6060Power [mW]

Dynamic range [dB]

80
80

200

· Terahertz spectroscopy· Trace gas sensing· Non-destructive testing· Hydration monitoring· Material research· Industrial quality control

1000

·S
 chottky Detectors(high sensitivity & high speed models)· Optomechanics(2-mirror & 4-mirror assemblies· Reflection head

1000

Ideal for800

Terahertz Accessories

800· Frequency-domain THz system· Up to 90 dB dynamic range· Up to 2.75 THz bandwidth· < 10 MHz frequency resolution

600

TeraScan600

For frequency-domain terahertz spectroscopy, TOPTICA’s TeraScan systems –which are based on precisely tunable DFB
lasers, digital control electronics, and latest
GaAs or InGaAs photomixer technology –provide sub-10 MHz frequency resolution
and ultimate ease-of-use. More details
on terahertz technology and related products can be found on www.toptica.com/
technology/technical-tutorials/terahertz.

Tunable Diode Lasers Wavelength Coverage· Time-domain THz system· Up to 90 dB dynamic range· 5 THz bandwidth· Highest measurement speed

CTL (pages 12-15)

TOPTICA provides best-in-class systems
for both time-domain and frequencydomain terahertz generation. The TeraFlash
combines TOPTICA’s FemtoFiber smart
lasers with state-of-the-art InGaAs a­ntennas and sets new standards in terms ofdynamic range, bandwidth and measurement speed for time-domain applications.

TeraFlash pro

100
100

DL / DFB (pages 17-20)

Terahertz Systems

BR-199-68A Tunable Diode Lasers 2017-01

TOPTICA Worldwide

Australia & New Zealand
Lastek Pty. Ltd.
www.lastek.com.au

FranceOpton Laser International
www.optonlaser.com

India
Simco Global Technology& Systems Ltd.
www.simco-groups.com

IsraelLahat Technologies Ltd.
www.lahat.com

RussiaEuroLase Ltd.
www.eurolase.ru

Singapore & Malaysia & Thailand
Precision Technologies Pte Ltd
www.pretech.com.sg

South Korea
JINSUNG INSTRUMENTS, INC.
www.jinsunginst.com

TaiwanLuxton Inc.
www.luxton.com.tw

TOPTICA Photonics Inc
5847 County Road 41
Farmington, NY 14425
U.S.A. & Canada & Mexico
Phone: +1 585 657 6663
Fax:
+1 877 277 9897
sales@toptica-usa.com
www.toptica.com

TOPTICA Photonics, K.K.
Asahi-seimei Bldg. 2F
1-14-1 Fuchu-cho, Fuchu-shi
Tokyo 183-0055
Japan
Phone: +81 42 306 9906
Fax:
+81 42 306 9907
sales@toptica-japan.com
www.toptica.co.jp

TOPTICA Photonics (China) Co., Ltd.
Room 1837, Bund Centre
222 East YanAn Rd
Huangpu District Shanghai, 200333
China
Phone: +86 21 619 335 09
toptica@toptica-china.com
www.toptica-china.com

United Kingdom & Ireland
TOPTICA Photonics UK
www.toptica.com

TOPTICA Photonics AG
Lochhamer Schlag 19
D - 82166 Graefelfing / M unich
Germany
Phone: +49 89 85837 0
Fax:+49 89 85837 200
sales@toptica.com
www.toptica.com