Laser & light sources

Laser and light sources

We can help you source the laser or light source that meets your needs. With over 45 years of internal and external experience in the supply and use of complex laser and light systems, we can offer you a custom service that allows you to tailor your design to meet your exact requirements.

We work with your photonics design engineers to understand your laser system requirements, using our experience of LED and industrial laser light source systems for research and industrial small-scale to large-scale production applications. This results in the customisation of all parameters to provide you with an industrial laser system that is uniquely optimised for your application, and completely ready to install and use. Our knowledge is always at the forefront of technical innovation in industrial laser and light source technology. In conjunction with our trusted strategic partners, our team of engineers can help select the right solution, no matter how challenging the technical lighting design is.

Our technologies

Discover our range of technologies

DPSS lasers

DPSS lasers

Diode-pumped solid-state (DPSS) lasers are solid-state lasers made by pumping a solid gain medium, for example, a ruby or a neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet (YAG) crystal, with a laser diode. Our high-performance DPSS lasers provide consistent results for spectrum analysis, interference, measurement, holography, laser printing, chip inspection, collimation, laser medical treatment, scientific experiment, and other applications. Our range of DPSS lasers features excellent sealing and high output power stability, operating at a wide range of temperatures.

The narrow optical bandwidth of diode lasers makes it possible to pump directly certain transitions of laser-active ions without losing power in other spectral regions, contributing to high efficiency. The low-intensity noise of laser diodes leads to the low noise of the diode-pumped laser whilst the compactness of the pump source, the power supply, and the cooling arrangement makes the whole industrial laser system much smaller and easier to use. DPSS lasers are idea across a range of industries and applications including:

  • Manufacturing
  • Medical
  • Metrology
  • Data storage
  • Communications
  • Displays
  • Laser Spectroscopy
  • Microscopy
  • Scientific
Gas lasers

Gas lasers

Gas lasers may sound like old technology, but they are still the solution of choice for many applications such as He-Ne lasers, largely replaced today by diode lasers, are still the best choice for some scientific uses due to its very high coherence length that can vary from 20cm (for multiple longitudinal modes) up to 100m (depending on its cavity design). Another example is CO2 lasers, largely replaced today by fibre lasers in the industry for material processing, which are still the best choice for some applications depending on the type of machined material. This is due to the unique properties of its wavelength of typically 10.6µ vs shorter wavelength around 1.06µ for equivalent high power continuous fibre and industrial lasers.

Fibre lasers

Fibre lasers

Fibre lasers are the newest type of industrial lasers in the market. The active medium being used is an optical fibre that has been doped in rare elements; typically, erbium, ytterbium, neodymium, thulium, praseodymium, holmium or dysprosium.

One of the main benefits of fibre lasers is that it’s extremely stable and the atom levels of these earth elements have useful energy levels, which allows for a cheaper diode laser pump source to be used, but still provides a high output of energy. Because the beam remains contained within the core of the fibre, it can be made incredibly small and the straight beam can be ultra-focused, making it perfect for applications such as laser cutting. They are also extremely resistant to heavy/harsh environments and have low maintenance costs. Generally, a fibre laser will require no servicing as they are built with cutting-edge technology fit for purpose once installed. Applications for these lasers include:

  • Industrial laser marking
  • Laser cutting
  • Laser welding
  • Laser engraving
  • Laser ablation
  • Additive manufacturing
  • Laser drilling
  • Laser cleaning
Laser diodes

Laser diodes

Laser diodes, semiconductor devices similar to light-emitting diode (LED), use p-n junction to emit coherent light in which all the waves are at the same frequency and phase. Creating a very precise beam of light, laser diodes are ideal for applications that require an accurate reading of data. They are also capable of high-power optical output power. Compared to other lasers, laser diodes deliver a higher power output, and they can operate at lower power levels. They are compact in size with extremely high efficiency and are easily manufactured in arrays.

The most common applications for laser diodes are:

  • Fibre optic communications
  • Barcode readers
  • Laser pointers/pens
  • Disc reading and recording
  • Laser printing
  • Laser hair removal devices
Laser modules

Laser modules

We are offering a selection of compact, rugged, and configurable laser modules (featuring bespoke optics shaping the laser beam) that are tailored to your needs. With a wide variety of wavelengths, output powers, beam shapes, and with a variety of electronic functionality and form factors these laser modules are ideal for applications such as machine vision, industrial alignment, life science, scientific instrumentation, particle measurement, and 3D printing.

Designed to match your technical illumination requirements, our laser diode modules will deliver stable and high-quality performance for the lifetime of your production.

Laser safety

Laser safety

We offer a unique combination of design expertise and leading-edge technologies from our comprehensive range of laser safety products, working with world-leading strategic partners and acting as your technical partner to help solve design challenges. Our range of laser safety products includes large area laser protection curtains and screens, laser safety goggles, and laser safety windows.

Our industrial laser safety solutions follow the European Directive on Personal Protective Equipment (Directive 89/686/EEC established in 1989 and all its latest Amendments).

High-speed laser illumination

High-speed laser illumination

For image and video recording of fast processes in industry and research, supporting illumination sources are necessary for guaranteeing the high-quality required for your high-speed camera solution. Additional illumination allows the camera to select shorter exposure times and thus automatically leads to faster frame rates in the so-called high-speed range of several thousand to millions of frames per second. In addition to classic halogen lamps and powerful LEDs, laser illumination offers additional advantages because it operates in very short pulses down to 1 ns and can therefore massively reduce disturbing motion blur. Monochromatic laser illumination with high spectral intensity can even make objects and processes visible that usually dazzle the camera with strong process light. Examples include high contrast visualisation of molten pools during welding, cutting, or modern additive production processes (3D printing).

  • High-speed laser illumination allows shorter exposure times and faster frame rates
  • Noticeable reduction of disturbing motion blur due to 1 ns short laser flashes
  • Visualisation of hidden fast processes (spectral process light suppression)

Our approach

When it comes to developing custom solutions for tomorrow's technologies, we trust our approach to deliver the best possible outcome.

Our engineers will skilfully guide you through each stage of your project, working with you to understand and identify a solution that meets your technical and commercial needs before designing and integrating your solution.

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CONSULT.

Consult
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Working together to create the right solution.

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DESIGN.

Design
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From modified to fully customised components.

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INTEGRATE.

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Technological expertise across your application lifecycle.

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Solutions and expertise

Our solutions and expertise are centred around six key markets

Over the years we have built up considerable knowledge and knowhow, providing tailored solutions for our customers.

  • Transportation
  • Medical
  • Industrial and Connectivity
  • Renewable energy
  • Aerospace and Defence
  • Security

Our technology partners

Discover our strategic partners

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NEL / NTT
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Technical news and insights

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