Solo PIV is a compact, dual laser-head system designed to provide a highly stable green light source for Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) applications. It is ideally suited for most liquid and many air-based PIV experiments, and its small size provides excellent flexibility in setting-up such experiments.

Advantages

  Small laser head requires minimum space
  Single power supply simplifies setup and enhances mobility
  High output energy
        15 - 50 mJ at 532 nm
  Highly flexible design with repetition rates
        From 1 to 15, or 30Hz, depending on model selected
  Operating convenience provided through multiple triggering capabilities
        Continuous internal trigger
        External TTL trigger
        Single input pulse activating laser lamp and Q-switch
        Separate pulses to control lamp & Q-switch independently for precise laser pulse timing control
  Easy set up:
        Single power supply features internal, closed-loop cooling system
        Operates on 100-240 VAC single phase source
  Convenient operation made possible with:
        Remote positioning of a single power supply - saves valuable lab space
        Local control panel on power supply with all system controls, including optional optical
           attenuator
  Hi/Lo power switch permits energy reduction during optics alignment

PIV-Head Optical Description

Two laser heads with 1064 nm output wavelength are mounted on a single baseplate. The beams generated by these laser heads are combined and then enter a second harmonic generator to produce green (532 nm) laser pulses. The output of the second harmonic generator impinges on dichroic mirrors which transmit the residual 1064 nm energy to metal absorbers and reflect the 532 nm green energy to the laser exit port.

Control Options

The front panel controls switch permit selection of continuous operation or continuous firing at a front-panel potentiometer-controlled variable rate, up to the maximum possible with the model being used, 15 or 30 Hz.

The laser also can be fired from an external trigger source through a rear panel BNC connector. Each externally supplied pulse fires the laser once at a repetition rate up to the maximum for the model. Q-switch activation can be controlled by internal laser electronics, or by means of an external trigger source allowing precise trigger control of the laser energy pulse.

Both lamp and Q-switch firing can be monitored via BNC connectors located on the rear panel of the power supply.

Optional Optical Attenuator

A motorized optical attenuator is an available option. It consists of a 1/2 waveplate and polarizer that provide precise control of laser output energy without the degradation of energy stability that usually results from varying lamp voltage. A front-panel potentiometer controls rotation of the 1/2 wave plate, and a three-and-one-half digit LED indicates relative energy level (0-1000). The attenuator can also be controlled by a 0-5 VDC signal. The optical attenuator reduces maximum energy by approximately 10%.

The graph below shows energy outputs vs. the attenuator LED reading.

Specifications

1)   Optical losses due to optional attenuator will reduce maximum energy by 10%
2)   Energy and Pulse-to-pulse for 98% of shots after 30 minutes warm up
3)   Full width half maximum
4)   Full angle for 86% of the energy, at 1/e² point
5)   For single-head operation.  Only one laser head may be optimized for 355 nm.
6)   Q-Switch Synch out to light pulse for 98% of 1,000 shots.

Dimensions¹

1)   Nominal Values onoly, contact NWR for fill specifications
2)   Requies 6 inches of rear clearance for umbilical
3)   Includes mounting plate

Operating Environment

50^o - 86^o F; 10^o -  30^o C; 20-80% RH (non-condensing)

Power Requirement

100-240 VAC
500 watts, 50/60 Hz

Micromachining