SL1325-P16 In Stock

The ThorLabs SL1325-P16 is a highly specialized Frequency Swept-Source Laser designed specifically for SS-OCT (swept-source optical coherence tomography) applications. With a center wavelength of 1325 nm, the SL1325-P16 covers a spectral region that falls within the range required for OCT applications. Its compact design, robust alignment, and high repetition rate make it an ideal system for both research and OEM applications.

The SL1325-P16 is capable of producing high axial resolution OCT images due to its wide spectral tuning range and high sweep speed. The laser achieves this by utilizing a diffraction-grating mounted on a scanner with a focusing lens, mirror, and slit assembly that provides active wavelength selection. This assembly is separated by the focal length of the lens and is commonly referred to as a Cat-Eye configuration. This design ensures that the laser is highly insensitive to angular misalignment and produces superior long-term stability compared to designs with a quasi-collimated beam on the laser cavity back-reflector. The SL1325-P16's semiconductor gain element features an intra-cavity AR coating that provides a residual reflectivity of less than 10-4. This enables the efficient formation of an extended cavity and ensures that the laser output is coupled into a fiber using a lens system containing an isolator that prevents optical feedback into the cavity.

The SL1325-P16 is easy to control with three switches located on the front panel. The Power switch applies AC power to the entire unit, and the “POWER ON” indicator illuminates when power is applied. The “Tune Enable” keypad enables the resonant scanner housed in the swept source laser, and the “Tune On” indicator illuminates when the scanner is enabled. The “Laser Enable” keypad enables the laser output, and the “Laser On” indicator illuminates when the laser is enabled. The “SYS OK” indicator turns on when all necessary conditions are met for proper operation of the unit. If the internal temperature of the enclosure exceeds approximately 60 degrees C, the heatsink temperature of the laser driver exceeds a maximum temperature, or the TEC system has not attained its set operating temperature, the “TEMP” indicator turns on. In such cases, the laser automatically shuts down, as will the scanner and internal TEC system.