A new series of Sapphire lasers from Coherent at 594nm are for fluorescence-based applications in life sciences. Formerly, this wavelength was only available from inefficient, low-power HeNe lasers, or from diode-pumped solid-state lasers using complex frequency-mixing schemes.
The products are based on Coherent’s optically pumped semiconductor laser technology. Measuring 125 x 70 x 34mm, they provide identical form, fit, and function compatibility (optical, mechanical, electrical, and interfacing) with all other Sapphire LP and FP models, independent of wavelength and power class. And as with other Sapphire lasers, the new 594nm models are equipped with USB, RS-232 and analogue interface ports.
These new lasers are available with either free-space (Sapphire 594 LP) or fibre-pigtailed (Sapphire 594 FP) output and are offered with output powers of 20mW, 50mW, or 75mW respectively, 40mW excluding fibre. They feature power stability (< 2 per cent over two hours), and low noise (0.25 per cent RMS from 20Hz to 2MHz). Free space models deliver a collimated, TEM00 beam with M² <1.1, low beam divergence (<1.3 mrad) and high pointing stability <5 µrad/°C.
The orange output of these new Sapphire 594 lasers is an optimum wavelength for exciting a broad range of established red fluorescence fluorophores as well as new fluorophores such as the mFruit dyes.