Block’s LaserTune mid-IR laser systems are designed for flexible use in a wide variety of applications. Our pulsed quantum cascade lasers feature compact packages that are free of bulky external cooling associated with CW lasers.
The single-tuner LaserTune-S offers a user-selectable laser module covering 2-3 microns within a range of 5.4-12.8 µm. Compared with previous versions, this next-generation design offers a 6x power increase, orders of magnitude tighter thermal and temporal stability, and powerful electronics with unique pulse design capabilities. The LaserTune-S can be packaged for OEM integration or laboratory use.
The broader-range LaserTune features up to 4 quantum cascade laser modules with the ability to cover an entire gap-free 5.4-12.8 µm mid-infrared range. The LaserTune can be configured with 1, 2, or 3 laser modules for customers who don’t need the full coverage provided by all 4 modules.
LaserTune-S: single-tuner mid-infrared laser
Six-fold increase in power
Flexible wavelength range in a user-selected single tuner
Excellent thermal and temporal stability
Dynamic pulse lengths and duty cycles
SDK for streamlined programming and control
Wavenumber sweeps, step functions, and static wavenumbers
To learn more about the LaserTune-S click on the tab to the left.
LaserTune: multiple-tuner mid-IR laser
Configurable with one to four mid-IR lasers to achieve your desired gap-free wavelength range up to 5.4-12.8 µm
Wavenumber sweeps, step functions, or static wavenumber control
MCT detector option provides an all-in-one spectrometer capability
On-board software allows you to easily control the laser and synchronously collect the detector signal to produce a complete exportable spectra
SDK provided enables rapid integration
To learn more about the LaserTune click on the tab to the left.
You can also review our sQCL and mQCL MiniQCL component modules for integration of quantum cascade lasers into larger systems.
To download a brochure with more detail on Block’s laser products, see below.
An R&D 100 Award Finalist
Block Engineering’s LaserTune is a turnkey, compact-packaged quantum cascade laser system that covers a tunable gap-free mid-infrared range of 5.4 to 12.8 microns.
The full range is covered by packaging four QCL modules in the system. However, for customers who do not need the maximum wavelength range, the system can be configured with 1, 2, or 3 modules instead. Gap-free tuning is maintained in narrower configurations.
No external power supply, control peripherals, or external cooling systems are required. The LaserTune can be programmed to operate in several modes, including Move Tune (manual control), Step Tune with programmable steps, and Sweep Tune with programmable sweep parameters. LaserTune offers an extremely fast sweep capability at 25 cm-1 per millisecond.
The system supports pulse durations of between 30 to 300 nsec, a repetition rate of up to ~3 MHz, and a duty-cycle of up to 8%. The pulses can be internally triggered at regular intervals with an available sync-out signal. External triggering is also supported. The beam size is roughly 2 mm x 4 mm.
Key Benefits & Advantages
Configurable with one to four mid-IR lasers to achieve your desired gap-free wavelength range up to 5.4-12.8 µm
Wavenumber sweeps, step functions, or static wavenumber control
MCT detector option provides an all-in-one spectrometer capability
On-board software allows you to easily control the laser and synchronously collect the detector signal to produce a complete exportable spectra
SDK provided enables rapid integration
The LaserTune is also available to use with Block’s MCT IR Detector module. Please visit the MCT tab for additional information.
You can also review our sQCL and mQCL MiniQCL component modules for integration of quantum cascade lasers into larger systems.
To download a brochure with more detail on Block’s laser products, see below.
Block Engineering’s LaserTune-S is a next-generation tunable quantum cascade laser that delivers a six-fold increase in power, much greater thermal and temporal stability, and powerful electronics with unique pulse design capabilities.
The LaserTune-S is delivered in the industry’s smallest form factor package, and does not require bulky external cooling systems.
Based on Block’s sQCL single-tuner laser module, the LaserTune-S can be configured by customers to cover a 2-3 micron range within a larger 5.4 to 12.8 µm span.
The new power-efficient and compact control electronics allow for flexible programming options from wavenumber sweeps, steps, or holding. Dynamic pulse lengths and duty cycles enable you to actively manage average power at each wavenumber.
The LaserTune-S is designed to be a reliable benchtop tool for researchers. It can also be used for OEM evaluation of Block’s sQCL laser modules. Any evaluation and development efforts can be transferred from the LaserTune-S directly to the sQCL, as both share similar specifications.
Key Benefits & Advantages
Six-fold increase in power
Flexible wavelength range in a user-selected single tuner
Excellent thermal and temporal stability
Dynamic pulse lengths and duty cycles
SDK for streamlined programming and control
Wavenumber sweeps, step functions, and static wavenumbers
You can also review our sQCL and mQCL MiniQCL component modules for integration of quantum cascade lasers into larger systems.
To download a brochure with more detail on Block’s laser products, see below.
As a leader in high-performance mid-infrared (IR) spectrometers, Block has leveraged its expertise to develop next-generation Quantum Cascade Lasers used around the world in life science, safety, and environmental applications. Due to their low cost and ultra-compact size, our lasers are available in applications that previously had been out of reach for QCLs.
Quantum Cascade Lasers are tunable lasers that can make controlled incremental shifts in wavelength output. This enables the power of mid-infrared lasers to be applied to broadband spectroscopy applications where previously there were no solutions.
Block’s external cavity QCLs are effective for producing widely tunable systems and providing broadband tuning at microsecond speed while still compact and single-modal.
Our QCLs operate in “pulsed” mode (as opposed to “continuous wave”) for operating in a wide range of environments without expensive and bulky external cooling. In addition to the first and only QCL modules designed for simple system integration and scalability, we also offer the expertise and collaboration to determine the best laser for your application.
You can learn more about our single-laser sQCL and multiple-laser mQCL solutions for manufacturers:
sQCL: single tuner for portable OEM product integration
Best in class ultra-miniature tuner and electronics
Wide wavelength range in a single tuner
OEM integration support
Lowest cost in volume
Command/Control SDK provided
To learn more about the sQCL click on the tab to the left.
mQCL: multiple lasers for OEM product integration
Multi QCL optical module for system prototyping
Broad wavelength applications
Gap free tuning
Noise sensitive measurements
Trigger I/O for seamless integration
To learn more about the mQCL click on the tab to the left.
To download a brochure with more detail on Block’s laser products, see below.
When low cost and extremely compact size are most important, the sQCL is the tunable laser of choice for OEM integrators and researchers.
The sQCL system is a new Gen2 product that leverages the best of Block’s funded development projects and years of commercial experience. New optical design and packaging provide higher power, greatly enhanced thermal management and output stability, and up to 3x increases in maximum duty cycle.
For stand-alone laboratory use or evaluation, the sQCL can also be provided in the LaserTune-S package with integrated S-Controller for turnkey benchtop operation.
The sQCL also adds smart technology onboard, and can run a preprogrammed WN pattern in stand-alone mode from a simple bias voltage and trigger input. This integrated module enables streamlined product configurations at a fraction of the cost and bulk of other approaches.
The sQCL performance and form factor enable new applications in biomedical, semiconductor, battery contamination/condition, and portable device integration. It also provides traditional QCL uses in real-time gas analysis applications like greenhouse gas monitoring, automotive combustion analysis, oil and gas exploration, and air quality monitoring.
The module is also designed to be integrated into a variety of spectroscopic instruments, including products used in the fields of Photoacoustic Spectroscopy (PAS), Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy (CRDS), and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM).
The sQCLs can be selected from Block’s variety of wavelength ranges; both standard and custom ranges are available. Please contact Block to discuss your application requirements.
Product Highlights:
OEM integration ready
Ultra-miniature footprint, including electronics
Cost effective solution for volume
Ideal for portable instruments
Superior stability
Wide thermal operating range
Wide choice of mid-IR lasers for desired wavelength range
Configurable wavenumber sweeps, step functions, or static WN output
Wide flexibility in waveform creation, including dynamic parameters
Available SDK enables rapid integration
To download a brochure with more detail on Block’s laser products, see below.
Block’s mQCL provides multiple lasers in a fully functional module for easy product development and integration.
The mQCL system is an “open” OEM version of Block’s enclosed, ready-to-operate LaserTune package. The unit combines a selection of QCLs as determined by your project’s wavenumber range requirements.
The system contains electronics to integrate the scanning of these QCLs with seamless transitions via the System Interface Board (SIB). The mQCL controls temperature via the TECC controller and TEC, and has an available SDK for integration with your system’s electronics and software.
The system accommodates configurations of 1-4 QCL tuners where the tuners, beam combining and steering optics, and optional visible alignment laser are all affixed to the optics plate. The mQCL tuner modules are controlled by miniature driver electronics with trigger I/O to enable seamless system timing. The interface to the electronics ranges from low-level serial to high-level Ethernet protocols, for options in your integration approach.
The module is designed to be integrated into a variety of spectroscopic instruments, including products used in the field of Photoacoustic Spectroscopy (PAS), Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy (CRDS), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), and a range of dispersive and non-dispersive instruments. The mQCL is especially beneficial to IR microscopes and IR spectrometers that can conduct standoff, non-contact analysis due to the high spectral radiance of Block’s QCLs.
Product Highlights:
OEM integration ready
Configurable lasers to achieve desired gap-free wavelength range from 5.4-12.8 µm
Wavenumber sweeps, step functions, static wavenumber control
On-board software allows you to easily control the laser
All the functionality of our LaserTune product in an OEM form factor and cost point
Available SDK enables rapid integration
To download a brochure with more detail on Block’s laser products, see below
Block Engineering’s mid-infrared quantum cascade lasers are “pulsed” rather than “continuous wave.” What do these terms mean? And what are the advantages of a pulsed laser?
Pulsed lasers emit light in extremely rapid bursts, or pulses, with pauses between pulses. The time period of a pulse is measured in nanoseconds (billionths of a second).
In Block’s quantum cascade lasers, the time (or “width”) of each pulse can be set between 30 nanoseconds and 500 nanoseconds.
By contrast, continuous wave lasers do not emit light in pulses. Instead, light is continually and uniformly released, much like a shining incandescent lightbulb.
Why Choose a Pulsed Laser?
The primary benefit of a pulsed design is that heat from the laser is given time to dissipate. Instead of keeping the laser “on” and “hot” continuously, the gap between pulses allows for significant conduction cooling.
In the case of Block’s lasers, this means that bulky external air and water cooling systems are not needed to draw heat away from the laser.
In fact, Block’s QCL packages are thermoelectrically cooled without any external fans or other moving parts. Because of that, our systems are extremely compact, less expensive than actively-cooled continuous wave (CW) lasers, and do not require power-hungry and mechanically vulnerable cooling systems.
Another benefit of reduced heat is that pulsed laser beams can protect the target of the laser from thermal damage. Because Block’s lasers are often used to analyze delicate biological tissues, detect trace chemicals, and power infrared microscopes, this is important.
Tissue samples that might be damaged by a hotter CW laser can be interrogated gently over time by a cooler pulsed laser. The risk of thermal interference is also reduced, increasing the measurement accuracy of chemical signatures.
Because Block’s lasers are primarily used in spectroscopy, research, and biomedical analysis applications, pulsed beams are usually preferred by our customers.
A Continuum
The choice between pulsed and continuous wave lasers isn’t binary. Because pulse width and period can be programmed, it’s possible to increase the number and width of laser pulses in time, effectively bringing a pulsed laser’s duty cycle closer to CW.
We use the term “duty cycle” to describe the percent of time that the laser is emitting light while on. For a CW laser, the duty cycle is 100%. For a pulsed laser, the duty cycle might be tens or just a few percentage points, depending on how much optical power is required to analyze the sample while also considering heat dissipation requirements.
The duty cycle of Block’s QCLs can be controlled through internal or external triggering, allowing for modification of pulses.
Some applications require greater light; others need less heat or thermal interference. The flexibility of pulses and duty cycles can help our laser customers find the ideal balance.
Block Engineering’s mid-infrared quantum cascade lasers are “pulsed” rather than “continuous wave.” What do these terms mean? And what are the advantages of a pulsed laser?
