BFi OPTiLAS and Amplification Technologies Inc, a subsidiary of Powersafe technology (PSFT), are proud to announce their exclusive European Distribution Partnership.
BFi OPTiLAS is the largest Photonic distributor in Europe and Amplification Technologies has developed a new approach for the detection of low-level signals - multichannel Discrete Amplification (DA) - that allows the simultaneous attainment of very high gain, high speed and ultra-low excess noise in a silicon or InGaAs device.

The Discrete Amplification (DA) involves three basic functions: Distributing individual signal electrons into a separate independent amplification channel, Amplifying each individual signal electron in a separate channel to a readable charge packet and Reading the amplified charge packets.
The benefits of that unique technology include Single photon level sensitivity, Wide spectral range, Relatively flat spectral sensitivity curve, Excellent voltage and thermal stability, High photon detection efficiency, Wide dynamic range, Fast response, high reliability and low production cost.

It can provide a new performance level to many applications such as PET Scanners, Medical Imaging, Fluorescence Detection, High Energy Physics, Spectroscopy, Biological Sensors, Ladar and Lidar, Homeland Security, Confocal Microscopy, Night Vision and many others.

About PowerSafe Technology Corp. (PSFT) Based in New York, PowerSafe Technology Inc. (www.psftinc.com), through its wholly owned subsidiary Amplification Technologies, (www.ampti.net) seeks to transform the field of low-level signal detection. The company’s patented platform semiconductor technology has the potential to offer unparalleled and far-reaching benefits to industries such as medical diagnostics, drug development, scientific instrumentation and homeland security. The technology has been successfully used to develop extremely sensitive detectors of low levels of light and the company believes its detectors will be used in many existing applications as well as open up new markets. ATI’s technology is patented to encompass detection of signals other than light, and could in principle be used to create highly sensitive biological, radiological, electrical, and chemical sensors.

BFi OPTiLAS, pan-European partner or Luminit, is proud to announce the availability of its high transmission LSD® diffusers in a rigid injection molded format. This capability now allows manufacturers to cost effectively integrate a rigid form of our diffuser technology into their modules.

Flat injection molded lenses can be manufactured in a variety of symmetrical and asymmetrical beam angles making them suitable for recessed down-lights as well as Parabolic Aluminized Reflector (PAR) and Multifaceted Reflector (MR) lamp formats. These lenses can be designed to fit a lamp or light fixture with the appropriate mechanical tabs or clips molded in.

The monolithic integration of Luminit's micro-structure into the exit window of a lamp results in a rigid lens with very high efficiency, a smooth frosty finish and a controlled beam pattern. Lenses can be produced for quantities as low as 10,000 pieces. The innovative surface relief diffusers technology has many advantages over standard volumetric diffusers.

BFi OPTiLAS, thanks to its collaboration with Ocean Optics, announce a new range of low cost spectrometers, with extended spectral range allowing covering the full UV-NIR range from 200 nm to 1050 nm, with a resolution of 2 nm.

This is available with the either of the well known USB and JAZ optical benches. A special grating has been developed to cover the full spectral range with very good efficiency.

The unique JAZ concept allows measurement in the field with a stand-alone ultra-compact unit.

BFi OPTiLAS Launches a New Range of Galvanometers and Scan Heads BFi OPTiLAS, a value-added pan-European distributor with headquarters in Evry, France, today announced that it has signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Century-Sunny, a leading developer of galvanometric scanners and scan heads. BFi OPTiLAS will market Century-Sunny’s line of galvanometric scanners and scan heads throughout Europe.

"BFi OPTiLAS has been supplying galvanometers to the European market for more than 30 years but this new agreement will extend the range of products offered to cover full scan head assemblies" said Jean-Claude Sanudo, Business Development Director of BFi OPTiLAS' Photonics business unit. "“Our customers are looking for the best scanning products available today and Century-Sunny’s wide range ensures we have the right product for both OEMs and end users at a very cost-effective price."

Century-Sunny is a leading player in the Asian market-place, with a reputation for quality and reliability. Their product portfolio includes high-speed optical scanners (galvanometers), PCI & USB laser scanning controllers and fully configured 1-, 2- and 3-Axis scan heads. Typical applications for these products will be found in laser marking, rapid prototyping, infrared scanning, laser light shows, laser radar, laser welding and a variety of laser related medical applications.

"Century-Sunny is a recognized leader for these technologies on the Asian market but wanted to establish a presence in Europe" said Mr Wang Jiguang, President of Century Sunny. The combination of both companies will offer a new range of laser scanning products that have state of the art performance and a very competitive price coupled with the local support of a well known distribution organization.

BFi OPTiLAS, together with Photonic Products and Ondax, is launching a new range of 405nm wavelength stabilized laser diodes for applications which include Raman spectroscopy, flow cytometry and metrology / interferometry. The 405nm blue-violet wavelength stabilization is achieved by optical feedback using the ONDAX Volume Holographic Grating (VHG) PowerLocker which ensures a stable single longitudinal mode operation.

Features include wavelength stability (<0.015nm/ºC), single longitudinal mode, compact size (standard 5.6 mm TO package), wavelength locked to <±1nm, coherence length (~0.6m) and it is hermetically sealed. The power locked laser has a very low temperature dependence and precise centre wavelength over the locked region which enhances its performance.

It is ideal for use in data storage, embossed holograms, CD mastering, diffraction grating fabrication, confocal microscopy, particle counting, fluorescence, non-destructive testing, microlithography and high speed printing.

Other standard wavelengths include 403, 405, 407, 640, 658, 685, and 785nm. Custom wavelengths, packaging and accessories are available upon request.

Photonic Products, is introducing its latest range of high performance fibre pigtailed and receptacle packaged laser diodes suitable for OEM applications. These include scientific equipment and optical instruments requiring a high quality laser diode light source; visual fibre optic fault locators for communications networks, telecoms systems and telecoms instrumentation and free space optical communications.

The fibre pigtailed laser packages, with wavelengths from 635nm to telecoms wavelengths of 1310-1550 nm and fibre output powers from 0.8mW to 15mW, are typically supplied with a 1 meter, 9/125 microns fibre. Coupling to singlemode 4/125 microns fibre is available on request for wavelengths from 635 - 850nm and a range of termination options is available. The telecoms wavelength pigtailed lasers offer uncooled operation at -40 degrees C to +85 degrees C.

The receptacle packaged laser diodes, with wavelengths from 635nm to telecoms wavelengths of 1310-1550nm and optical output powers from 0.7mW to 60mW, are packaged in either SMA, FC, ST or SC receptacles or with a universal adaptor that will accept FC, ST, SC and most other 2.5mm diameter ferrule connectors for user-supplied fibre coupling, allowing for singlemode or multimode fibres to be used without additional power loss.

BFi OPTiLAS, thanks to its collaboration with Precision Photonics, is is able to fabricate high performance optical devices in a variety of geometries in form factors from 1 mm to greater than 100 mm using our proprietary CADB® epoxy free bonding process and high energy ion beam sputtered coatings. Our IBS coatings can withstand damage thresholds above 40 J/cm² at 1064 nm, with less than 2 ppm bulk absorption in coatings at either the internal or external interfaces. The CADB® process is extremely robust and offers negligible scatter and absorptive losses at the interface, making them ideal for high-power solid-state laser applications in both defense/aerospace and materials processing.

BFi OPTiLAS also provides custom multiple-order, true zero-order and compound zero-order waveplates from 266 nm to 3.5 µm in sizes from 1x1 mm² to 4 inches in diameter.

UV-IR waveplates are available in a variety of shapes and sizes using laser grade crystal quartz or sapphire materials and as stand-alone components, or as part of a more complex optical assembly. High-energy anti-reflection coatings are provided using ion beam sputtering process with reflectivities as low as 0.05% at 1064nm.

BFi OPTiLAS, thanks to its collaboration with Precision Photonics, is announcing its capabilities to provide MWIR coating for complex shapes like the inside of a domes and steep radius lenses.

This includes robust, broadband anti-reflection (BBAR) coatings for the 3-5μm spectral range along with extremely high temperature operation and survivability. PPC’s IBS technique, a method proven to be more robust than magnetron sputtering, solves challenging variable-thickness requirements by using shadow masking to control coating uniformity. Coupled with a sophisticated 3-D model, we can deterministically predict the proper mask shape for most applications.

Recent results on a NAVAIR contract have demonstrated proper spectral transmission (coating thickness profile) for the dome, and operational survivability to 1000º C.

Other examples of MWIR IBS coatings done at PPC include narrowband AR coatings at 3.4μm and short-wave pass dichroic mirrors with high reflectance at 3.1μm and high transmittance at 1.5μm.

Photon Inc., announces a new feature for pulsed laser measurement with its NanoScan Beam Profiler.
The NanoScan now measures and reports the actual frequency of the laser. Often the pulse frequency is unknown or is not exactly as specified by the manufacturer. Knowing the exact frequency allows the NanoScan to provide a more stable and accurate profile.

The NanoScan employs the scanning slit beam profiling technique, which provides higher accuracy and resolution than is possible with typical camera-type profilers. The pulsed measurement capabilities of the NanoScan: high-resolution beam size, beam position, and beam profile measurements can be performed on pulsed lasers operating at 1 kHz or higher repetition rate.
Photon offers the pulsed measurement option standard with every one of its NanoScan models. This includes the NanoScan with silicon detector for operation at 350-1000 nm wavelengths, the NanoScan with germanium detector for 700-1800 nm wavelengths, and the NanoScan with pyroelectric detector for 190 nm – 20 micron wavelengths at beam powers up to 1 kWatt at certain wavelengths.

The NanoScan can accurately measure continuous wave beams as small as 4 microns and as large as 20 mm. Minimum beam sizes for pulsed beams are dependent on the pulse frequency. The system includes a power measurement window with most models such that beam size, beam position, beam profile, and beam power can be generated in a single measurement.

10 kW Power/Energy Sensor, the First to Directly Measure Very High Laser Power and Power Density.

BFi OPTiLAS’, Pan-European partner of Ophir, today announced a new Power/Energy Sensor. Designed for material processing applications, such as welding and metal cutting, the 10 kW measures YAG and fiber lasers in the 1040-1100 nm range, and CO2 lasers at 10.6 microns.
A wide aperture of 45 mm allows for measurement of broad beams. The maximum power for concentrated beams is up to 10 kW/cm2. The maximum energy density for a 10 ms pulse is up to 150 J/cm2.
Indirect measurement methods, such as beam samplers, depend on the calibration accuracy of the beam splitter, which can change when exposed to very high power densities. Systems that use a rise in water temperature to gauge laser power are bulky, complicated to use, and have a slow response time.
The 10 kW power/energy sensor uses a reflective cone to deflect the laser beam over the peripheral circumference of the sensor. This increases the radiated area and reduces the power density to manageable levels. The end result is a fast and accurate measurement for what had previously been difficult to read, and therefore, control.

The 10 kW Power/Energy Sensor features Ophir Smart Connector technology that automatically configures and calibrates connected displays, including the company's Orion PE, Nova, Nova II, Vega, LaserStar, USBI, Pulsar, and Quasar.

The 3A-P-FS is designed to measure very low power and energy light sources and divergent beams, such as LEDs and diode lasers. The 3A-P-FS features a wide, 12mm numerical aperture and a fused silica window in front of the detector. The window, only 7mm from the sensor surface, keeps out air currents and long wavelength background heat, allowing more accurate measurements of lower powers. The sensor can measure divergent beams up to ± 40 degrees.

The 3A-P-FS measures very low power pulsed or CW lasers in the 0.19 to 20 µm wavelength range. The sensor's p-type absorber provides a larger aperture and flatter spectral response than broadband devices, maximizing performance across the entire spectral range. Optical power can be measured from 60µW to 3W, and energy from 20µJ to 2J.

The 3A-P-FS very low power/energy sensor works with all BFi OPTiLAS - Ophir smart displays or PC interfaces, including the Orion PE, Nova, Nova II, Vega, LaserStar, USBI, Pulsar, and Quasar. Each display features a "Smart Connector" interface that automatically configures and calibrates the display when plugged into one of the measurement heads.

Thanks to its collaboration with Laser Diode Incorporated (LDI), BFi OPTiLAS is proud to offer its latest innovation, a multi-junction 1550nm pulsed laser diode.

The CVLM57 series is the first ever broad-area 1550nm laser diode that incorporates three epitaxially grown junctions in a single chip. LDI’s InGaAsP/InP based MOCVD grown laser structure utilizes a custom facet passivation process that results in a highly reliable, long lifetime device.

The CVLM57 laser is a high performance multi-mode laser that delivers 25W of peak pulsed power from a standard 350um x 10um emitter. Power can be increased by utilizing a stack of up to three devices. Other emitter sizes are available on special order.

The CVLM57 operates at a peak forward current of 20Amps. The spectral width is < 12 nm and beam divergence is typically <37 degrees by <12 degrees FWHM. The CVLM57 laser is ideal for use in rangefinder, surveying equipment and “friend or foe” identification applications.

The CVLM57 diode is available in 9mm, TO18T, TO18C packages and is also offered with a fiber-coupled configuration (TO5F package) with up to 30W output power from a single 400um 0.37 NA fiber. All packaging configurations are RoHS compliant.

BFi OPTiLAS is proud to announce availability of a brand new range of Nd:YAG rods. The exclusive BFi OPTiLAS source has proven industry records and high volume production capabilities at very attractive prices.

Control of the full process (growth, cutting, polishing, coating and quality control) ensures optimum quality, consistency and reduced delivery time. These are ideal for all OEM customers and customized test process can be implemented on request for specific requirements. On top of Nd:YAG rods, BFi OPTiLAS and its partner can also provide various other laser materials such as Nd:GGG (Disk lasers), Yb:YAG, Er:YAG, Tm:YAG, undoped YAG, Nd:Ce:YAG, Ho:Cr:Tm:YAG, Cr4+:YAG and bonding crystals.

BFi OPTiLAS , thanks to its partnership with ARCoptix, a new company based on Neufchatel (Switzerland) offers a range of very innovative compact spectrometers offering unique performance at a very reasonable cost.

* The ARCspectro HT is a very compact patented static polarisation Fourier Transform Spectrometer. It offers very high sensitivity (no grating losses, large input entrance i.e. 3-4 mm with no slit) allowing to work without focussing optics and with low light level such as Diffuse Light, Raman and Fluorescence spectroscopy …
* The ARCspectro NIR is a patented MEMS NIR Fourier Transform Spectrometer. It uses no grating and a single photodiode as the detector. It offers an unmatched spectral range in a single instrument (up to 500 – 2600 nm with no moving parts) with 20 cm-1 resolution.

Applications include: Food, beverage, cosmetics, textile, plastics, material identification, agriculture, gas detection, environment monitoring, security, process control.