Sweep Programmability

Sweep Programmability

. . . Why Sweep Programmability Matters
  • Change and customize configurations from software:
    • Number of measurement points
    • Sweep width
    • Coherence length
    • Sweep speed
    • Duty cycle
    • Power profile
  • Pay for only the features you need
  • RS-232 or Ethernet communication

Most lasers can perform at only one speed with a prescribed duty cycle and power profile, and the only way to change the number of points is to change the optical k-clock hardware.  With the Insight laser, each of these parameters is programmed and can be changed from experiment to experiment and imaging run to imaging run.

  • Even coherence length can be programmed
  • Center wavelength, sweep width, and sweep direction can also be varied

 

Programmability Overview
 
The following table outlines the Insight laser's programmable parameters:
Parameter Insight Akinetic All-Semiconductor
Programmable duty cycle Yes:  0–95%
Programmable sweep width Yes:  10 nm to 140 nm
Programmable number of measurement points Yes:  1–130,000
Programmable center wavelength Yes
Programmable coherence length Yes:  1 mm to 40 mm
Programmable sweep power profile Yes:  flat top, Gaussian, user-defined
Programmable sweep speed Yes:  200k–200k sps
Linear sweep parameter Yes: linear λ or linear in frequency
Programmable sweep direction Yes:  forward or backward in λ or frequency

Setting sweep parameters is accomplished through RS-232 or Ethernet using simple commands.  Changing parameters can be done at any time.  It takes roughtly 23 seconds for the change to be fully implemented and the laser ready to run again.

Other lasers cannot change most parameters under user control:
Parameter Technology
Insight Akinetic All-Semiconductor MEMs Resonant Cavity FDML VCSEL Polygon Mirror Beam Deflector
Programmable duty cycle Yes:  0–95% Potentially No Yes Potentially No No
Programmable sweep width Yes:  0–100% No No No No No No
Programmable numer of measurement points Yes:  1–130,000 No1 No1 No1 No1 No1 No1
Prgrammable center wavelength Yes No No No No No No
Programmable coherence length Yes:  1–40 mm No No No No No No
Programmable sweep power profile Yes:  flat top, Gaussian, user-defined No No Yes No No No
Programmable sweep speed Yes: 2k–200k sps No No Limited No No No
Programmable sweep direction Yes: linear λ or frequency Yes No Potentially No No No
  1Can change number of points only by changing external k-clock FSR

 

Purchase a Basic Laser or One With Complete Functionality:  Purchase Only What You Need
The laser can be ordered with several different options regarding programmability.  You don't need to purchase capabilities you don’t need.

 

Ethernet or RS-232

The laser can communicate over either Ethernet or RS-232. Commands are simple, intuitive strings that control all of the lasers configurable options.  As we add the built-in measurement firmware and communications to the laser, the data will be available via gigabit Ethernet.

 

Learn more about Insight's akinetic technology.