Laser Science, Inc. introduced the first VSL-337 nitrogen laser in 1983. The laser features our patented sealed plasma cartridge, which eliminates the need for flowing nitrogen gas. Further, the VSL-337 laser is air-cooled so the plumbing and expense associated with flowing water for chilling are avoided. While product improvements have been made over the years, the current VSL-337 is still the smallest and lowest priced sealed nitrogen laser on the market. With over two thousand VSL-337 nitrogen lasers in the field, it has become a standard in research and teaching.

Performance

The VSL-337 nitrogen laser provides 4 nsec pulses at 337 nm in the UV with a pulse energy of 120 µJ. Peak power is 30 kW and the average power is 2.4 mW at 20 Hz. The pulse repetition rate can be varied from 1 to 20 Hz. The laser can be triggered either internally or externally with a TTL trigger pulse. Reliable firing allows the laser to be synchronized to other timed events. Constant pulse shape and good pulse to pulse stability were designed into the VSL-337 with our fixed electrode and discharge stabilizing preionizers.

Turnkey Operation

No alignment is necessary as the resonator mirrors are mounted on the plasma cartridge and aligned in the factory. No gas or cooling connections are needed. No warm-up time is required. The user simply plugs in the VSL-337 nitrogen laser, turns it on, and starts collecting data.

Modular Design

The polymer encapsulated plasma cartridge module includes all the components that deteriorate over time. That is, the field replaceable unit incorporates the energy storage capacitors, the spark gap switching element, the plasma tube with prealigned resonator mirrors, the electrodes, and the preionizers. Once replaced, the user regains the performance of a new laser!

Long Life

The plasma cartridge is warranted to maintain at least 70% of its energy for twenty million pulses or two years, whichever occurs first.

Options

The VSL-337 is powered by a small external power supply. Alternatively it can be powered by a 12 volt battery, making it ideal for field applications. We supply fixed frequency and tunable dye lasers for pulsed visible laser light, a fiber optic adapter along with a variety of optical fibers, laser to microscope adapters for a variety of microbeam experiments, and modular holders for filters, attenuators, energy meters, and other optical components.

* Due to our corporate policy of continuous improvement, specifications are subject to change without notice.

Laser Science, Inc.
8E Forge Parkway
Franklin, MA 02038

Phone: 508-553-2353
Fax: 508-553-2355