The new Genesis(TM) 355 lasers from Coherent Inc. (Santa Clara, CA) (Nasdaq: COHR) are the first all solid state lasers to provide true CW output in the ultraviolet (355 nm). Based on the company's unique, optically pumped semiconductor laser (OPSL) technology, Genesis 355 products are available with output powers of 40, 60, 80 and 100 mW. As with other OPSLs, Genesis lasers feature excellent beam quality (M²<1.2) and low noise (<0.5% rms). They have already proven their superior performance and reliability in extensive beta testing in target bio-instrumentation UV applications, such as flow cytometry and confocal microscopy.
Until now, applications for CW ultraviolet lasers have had to use either legacy gas laser technology or mode-locked solid state lasers offering only pseudo-CW performance. Unfortunately, these mode-locked lasers generate peak powers at the kilowatt level and beyond, which can cause severe limitations in bio applications.
The CW, low-noise output of Genesis 355 is ideal for flow cytometry applications such as egg and fertilized-egg sorting, where the peak power of alternative mode-locked lasers poses significant risk of mutagenic damage to the DNA in the sorted cells. They are also well-suited to emerging confocal microscopy applications where their short wavelength and low M² beam are needed for optimum excitation of Hoechst and Indo dyes. These confocal microscopes often rely on fiber delivery which can be problematic with high peak power lasers.
Until now, applications for CW ultraviolet lasers have had to use either legacy gas laser technology or mode-locked solid state lasers offering only pseudo-CW performance. Unfortunately, these mode-locked lasers generate peak powers at the kilowatt level and beyond, which can cause severe limitations in bio applications.
The CW, low-noise output of Genesis 355 is ideal for flow cytometry applications such as egg and fertilized-egg sorting, where the peak power of alternative mode-locked lasers poses significant risk of mutagenic damage to the DNA in the sorted cells. They are also well-suited to emerging confocal microscopy applications where their short wavelength and low M² beam are needed for optimum excitation of Hoechst and Indo dyes. These confocal microscopes often rely on fiber delivery which can be problematic with high peak power lasers.
