Hedgehog™ Mid-IR Laser: Advanced Performance with Broad Tuning Range

Charming name. Impressive capabilities. Perfect for both laboratory and OEM applications, the Hedgehog Mid-IR Laser represents DRS Daylight's latest tunable laser head.

Utilizing the established External Cavity Quantum Cascade Laser technology, the Hedgehog laser combines a compact size with tuning speeds exceeding 5000 cm-1/second, options for continuous wave or pulsed output, high power, TEM00 beam quality, and unparalleled spectral repeatability.

Molecular spectroscopy applications both reap the benefits of rapid, high-SNR data acquisition. The ability to investigate various molecules, or to assess an absorption feature with extensive dynamic range, is further enhanced by wide mid-IR tuning. 

The Hedgehog system delivers these benefits with its broad, fast tuning across the mid-IR spectrum, low-noise output, and high spectral and spatial beam quality. Its sealed, alignment-free design and included GUI and SDK as standard features make it easy for users to access this performance.

Choose between the Hedgehog (which tunes up to 200 cm-1), Hedgehog-UT (tunes up to 400 cm-1), and Hedgehog-LT (tunes up to 30 cm-1) standard models.

Highlights

Features and Benefits

  • Ultra-quiet CW: RIN as low as -140 dBc/Hz enables higher-SNR spectroscopy
  • High output power for high SNR* of > 1 W (peak) and > 0.5 W (average)
  • CW* or pulsed output (up to 3 MHz/30% duty)*
  • Superb TEM00 beam quality and low beam pointing allow fiber coupling
  • Superior wavelength repeatability for higher-accuracy spectroscopy
  • SideKick controller, GUI, and SDK standard with all systems
  • Tune up to 400 cm-1 at speeds up to 5000 cm-1/s
  • Proprietary HFQD circuitry protects your chips
  • Wavelength Availability: 3-13 µm

Applications

  • Standoff detection
  • Atmospheric research
  • Process control
  • TIC, VOC, GHG chemical and biological agent detection
  • Nanoscale imaging and spectroscopy
  • Biomedical diagnostics
  • Combustion diagnostics
  • Protein analysis
  • Photoacoustic spectroscopy
  • Imaging

Product Specifications

Source: Daylight Solutions Inc

. .
Center Wavelength Availability < 4 μm > 13 μm
Modes of Operation  Pulsed or CW2
Tuning Modes Set λ, Step & Measure, Continuous Scans
Max. Tuning Speed (Step)  250 ms step-and-settle time to arbitrary λ
Max. Tuning Speed (Scan) Slew rates to > 5,000 cm-1/s
Wavelength Accuracy  ≤ 1 cm-1
Wavelength Repeatability  To ≤ 0.1 cm-1 [5]
Average Power Stability < 2% (1 hr)
Spatial Mode TEM00 (nominal)
Beam Divergence < 4 mrad (full angle, 1/e2 intensity width)
Beam Pointing Stability < 1 mrad (beam centroid change)
Spot Size   < 2.5 mm (1/e2 intensity radius)
Polarization Linear, vertical, > 100:1

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