Alfalight Demonstrates Wavelength Stabilization of High-Power Multimode Laser; Technology to Be Showcased at Photonics West 2004.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

Photonics West 2004

Booth #1907

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 26, 2004

Alfalight, Inc., an innovator and manufacturer of highly efficient and reliable diode lasers, announced today that it will demonstrate an integrated wavelength-stabilized multimode (WSM) laser at the Photonics West 2004 show this week (booth #1907). This innovative new technology produces an output wavelength that remains stable over operating temperature variations and diode output power, a dramatic improvement over existing non-stabilized high-power multimode laser performance.

Alfalight showcases this WSM laser technology using a 976 nm, 1.6 watt fiber-coupled diode laser. With the company's patent-pending stabilization technique, over 95 percent of the power is emitted in a 1 nm window over a temperature range of 12 degrees Celsius and an output power range of 1 to 1.7 watts. The center wavelength changes by less than 0.1 nm over this range, and the FWHM (Full-Width at Half Maximum) linewidth of 0.3 nm changes by less than 10 percent over this operation range. An SMSR (Side-Mode Suppression Ratio) of less than 30 dB is achieved over a 5 degree Celsius operating range. This robust operation is ideal for optically pumping gain media with a narrow absorption band, including optical amplifiers and fiber lasers. It can also be used for industrial, DPSS, spectroscopic, instrumentation, and bio-analytical applications benefiting from both stable wavelength operation and the high power afforded by a multimode laser.

"This wavelength-stabilization technology provides a more robust operating regime for both cooled and uncooled high-power pump lasers," said Tom Earles, chief technical officer at Alfalight. "This method can be used to cost-effectively improve performance of systems using multimode diode lasers by eliminating the need for active cooling and broadening operating margin."

An Alfalight 976 nm stabilized laser will be operating at booth #1907 at the Photonics West 2004 show in San Jose, Calif., January 27-29th. Evaluation samples and additional performance data are available upon request by contacting Alfalight at 608-240-4800 or [e-mail].

About Alfalight

Alfalight, Inc. is a technology innovator and manufacturer of highly efficient and reliable high-power diode lasers for industrial, defense, and telecommunications markets worldwide. The Madison, Wisconsin-based company's advanced Aluminum-Free Active region (ALFA) diode lasers provide industry-leading efficiency, reliability, power and brightness. Alfalight has exclusive licenses to patents that include high-power narrow-spectrum lasers, single-mode lasers, and short-wavelength lasers. To further its ongoing development efforts towards improved laser efficiency and brightness, the company recently received additional funding from DARPA. Alfalight's current high-power diode laser product line includes both multimode bars and fiber-coupled single emitters. For datasheets or more information, visit www.alfalight.com.