Pulsed Gas Laser Series

MTL-5 - Mini Tea CO₂ Laser

The MTL-5 is a compact, user-friendly, bench-top TEA (Transverse Excited Atmospheric Pressure) pumped CO₂ Laser.

The MTL-5 features self-diagnostic testing and built-in, fail safe mechanisms designed to monitor system performance and to support system integrity. The laser offers high performance specifications for a variety of scientific and specialist applications.

The MTL-5 can be operated in either multi-mode or single mode (TEM₀₀) configuration. Multi-mode output energy is rated at 150mJ / pulse at 100Hz.

The addition of a precisely selected aperture assembly enables single transverse mode operation. Laser output energy TEM₀₀ single spatial mode operation without wavelength selection is rated at 80mJ/pulse.  This configuration is required for use with the manual tuned grating option. With manual grating tuned option output energy is 50mJ/pulse.

The MTL-5 is supplied with a separate power supply that enables users to optimise space without compromising their experiments. The interconnection between the power supply and head has a known warranted lifetime.

An optional wavelength selection unit with precision grating control enables users to step tune easily between wavelengths.

Download the MTL-5 Technical Specification

Laser Head

The cylindrical laser head contains profiled electrodes to provide a homogenous discharge. A series of UV spark pre-ionisers are spaced along the discharge length. The laser gas is circulated internally via a flow chamber to give optimised uniform gas flow across the entire discharge section. The laser gas is cooled via an integral heat exchanger which requires water cooling for operation above 20 Hz.

The laser gas has been optimised to a proprietary gas mixture and the laser has 2 main modes of operation: Flow or Slow Flow. The Flow mode provides maximum output energies as specified, and utilises a standard 3 component gas mixture. In addition, Slow Flow (<0.5I/min) can be achieved with the addition of other gases to reduce dissociation effects. This mode of operation will find applications where reduced gas consumption is required and a lower energy circa. 100mJ is sufficient.

Power Supply

The power supply contains a switch mode charging unit rated at 1000J/sec, 25kV, and the main discharge capacitors are thyratron switched for low command jitter and highest reliability. The supply performs sophisticated discharge monitoring remotely via an optical fibre to ensure system performance, system integrity and arc event detection. The supply will shut down the laser in the event of risk of potential system damage occurring and indicate the system status with a range of indicator LED’s.

The supply has a LCD display switchable to read discharge voltage or repetition rate control functions, the supply can also accept external trigger control inputs.

Grating Tuned Option – Manual Tuning

Operation on 60 lines between 9.2 and 10.8 microns is achieved by adding the grating tuning option.

A new and improved high precision, low backlash manual tuning accessory attaches to the laser head in place of the 100% rear reflector assembly. This low back lash assembly is now compatible with some third party USB controlled automated micrometer drives. The grating is separated from the discharge volume by a Brewster window. Maximum energy is 50mJ per pulse on the strong gain lines.