Photonics West 2014
04.02.-06.02.2014
San Francisco, CA, USA
South Hall ABC, booth 1238
REVIEW: Photonics West 2014
Largest and most influential event for the laser and photonics community in North America: 20,000 attendees, two exhibitions, 1,300 exhibiting companies, a wide range of papers on biomedical optics, biophotonics, translational research, industrial lasers, optoelectronics, microfabrication, optical MEMS, and more.
Photonics West 2014 for Menlo Systems a great success
Menlo Systems exhibited at the premier photonics and laser event in North America many new highlights. The ultra-stable new modelocking technology figure 9®, industry driven THz applications and the BlueCut microjoule laser attracted a lot of attention at the show.
Visitors from all over the world attended to the booth of Menlo Systems to see the new developments of the pioneers of the Nobel-Prize-winning optical frequency comb technology. Besides scientific visitors whom Menlo Systems offers versatile instrumentation, many industrial companies showed interest in the newly presented femtosecond THz engine that already finds application in inline measurement systems used for quality control in the extrusion process of plastic material pipes.
Optical fiber links for dissemination of ultra-stable optical clock signals
At Photonics West 2014, Menlo Systems demonstrated optical fiber link technology: all you need is an Optical Frequency Comb from Menlo System (if you don’t have it already), a dark fiber or dark channel in a telecom fiber network connecting the optical clock with the outer world, Menlo Systems’ bidirectional optical amplifiers DUAL EDFA, and an interferometric fiber stabilization.That’s all.
Timing is everything. Connecting optical clocks with Menlo Systems.
Connecting optical clocks with Menlo Systems’ frequency combs and the bidirectional amplifier DUAL EDFA shown at the Photonics West 2014
ELMO: ready for operation
At Photonics West 2014, Menlo Systems introduced ELMO, the unique fiber laser based on our figure 9® technology. The novel mode-locking mechanism offers unsurpassed reproducibility and long-term stable operation – tested over more than 10,000 on/off cycles. With its all-fiber design, ELMO offers excellent stability and low-noise operation, making it an ideal seed source for fiber amplifiers. Thanks to the special design the oscillator is maintenance free. It does not require installation because it is self-starting, just plug in and the system will be running after 60 seconds.
ELMO and its associated amplifier module are tough, resistant to mechanical shocks and temperature fluctuations. You could get the proof of this at the Menlo booth at the Photonics West where a falling billiard ball hit the laser with about 30g without disturbing the laser's function.
A billiard ball is dropped to the ELMO oscillator.
It hits the ELMO with around 30g.
The laser stays stable (here shown more than 600 hits on the ELMO)
ELMO with unique figure 9® mode-locking technology
Powerful photodetectors delivered in just three days
Menlo Systems’ photodetectors portfolio has been enhanced by the introduction of the FPD310-V and the FPD510-V high sensitivity fast photodetectors. Due to the very low noise equivalent product and the fiber-coupled input both detectors are ideal tools for optical metrology and low-level light signal detection in the visible as well as in the near infrared regime. Each model is available as either fiber-coupled or free space.
The quality of Menlo Systems photodetectors is supplemented by extraordinary service with photodetectors delivered to customer globally within three working days.
New photodetector FPD310-V at the Photonics West 2014.
New photodetector FPD510-V at the Photonics West 2014.
TERA K15 Mark II: for quick and easy THz material analysis
At Photonics West, Menlo Systems exhibited the latest generation of compact, fully fiber-coupled, turn‐key THz time‐domain spectrometer: Tera K15 Mark II. Using Menlo Systems innovative figure 9® fiber laser, the system needs no external electronics and is thus robust to temperature changes and mechanical stress, even in harsh industrial environments. The new fiber-coupled antenna transmits now 10 times more power than before, enabling efficient material analysis nearly independent of thickness, geometry and nature of the material sample. Material testing with terahertz (THz) radiation is safe for the user without any need for precautions such as e.g. shielding. Too, THz radiation is non-destructive and can be applied contact‐free. In comparison to testing with ultrasound waves it don't require a coupling medium.
Menlo Systems THz solutions are compact and stable making them ideal for integration into production line quality-control in a variety of industries; plastics, paper, food safety, automotive and security.
BlueCut: high pulse energies for precise microprocessing
The BlueCut micro-Joule laser is based on all fiber-integrated technology. As such, it offers superior robustness and reliability. It is designed for industrial materials processing, where the high repetition rates available allow for high through-put and increased cost efficiency. A simple user interface makes operating the system trivial. OEM integration into more complex processing systems, or as a femtosecond seed engine is also possible.
The BlueCut OEM seed, which is the seeding engine of the BlueCut, is available separately as a ready-to-use seeder for a wide range of amplifier types. The center wavelength is selectable over a broad range, which allows this product to be used with a large variety of gain materials. The repetition rate can be set by the customer to anywhere from 100 kHz to 10 MHz. Its ease of use, remote controllability, robust and compact design, and very short warm-up time makes this an ideal seed engine even in a demanding industrial environment.
The system is designed in a modular fashion with maximum field-serviceability in mind. This ensures high system up-time for a demanding 24/7 production environment. Setting up the system is remarkably simple, so no installation is required. Additionally the BlueCut system is remote controllable via USB or RS232. A simple control software is provided. Only a single press of a button is required to turn the system on.
Both BlueCut and BlueCut OEM are designed for industrial applications such as classical materials processing, biotech, biomed, and semiconductors. BlueCut has been shown to be effective at cutting even the hardest biomaterials, such as tooth enamel – the white part of teeth – could be cut completely. It is one of the most difficult biological materials to work with.
Quick response from the new US service center of Menlo Systems
Menlo products are extremely stable which minimizes the chance that you will ever need service. In Newton, New Jersey – located 40 miles from New York City– Menlo has enhanced technical capabilities by installing a new service center to better support customers. The facility has optical and electronic support including diode replacement, troubleshooting, and training. Systems can also be serviced directly at the customer location. Additional staff has also been dedicated to improve customer support.
The introduction of a dedicated US service center and the inherent quality of Menlo Systems products combines to deliver greater performance and reliability to our US customers.