Hedgehog™ Mid-IR Laser
Tune 100s of cm-1 at 1000 cm-1/s.
Cute name. Fearsome performance. Ideal for laboratory or OEM use, the Hedgehog Mid-IR Laser is DRS Daylight’s next-generation tunable laser head. Built on our proven External Cavity Quantum Cascade Laser™ technology, the Hedgehog laser is a unique combination of small size, tuning speeds to > 5000 cm-1/s, CW or pulsed output, high power, TEM00 beam quality, and unmatched spectral repeatability.
Molecular spectroscopy applications benefit from rapid, high-SNR data acquisition. Probing multiple molecules, or probing an absorption feature with high dynamic range, also benefits from broad mid-IR tuning. The Hedgehog system provides these benefits, with its wide, rapid tuning across the mid-IR spectrum, low-noise output, and high spectral and spatial beam quality. Its sealed, alignment-free design and GUI and SDK included as standard let you access this performance with ease.
Select from three standard Hedgehog models: Hedgehog (tunes up to 200 cm-1), Hedgehog-UT (tunes up to 400 cm-1), and Hedgehog-LT (tunes up to 30 cm-1).
Highlights
Features & Benefits:
- Wavelength availability: 3-13 µm
- Tune up to 400 cm-1 at speeds up to 5000 cm-1/s
- CW* or pulsed output (up to 3 MHz/30% duty)*
- Ultra-quiet CW: RIN as low as -140 dBc/Hz enables higher-SNR spectroscopy
- Superior wavelength repeatability for higher-accuracy spectroscopy
- Superb TEM00 beam quality and low beam pointing allows fiber coupling
- High output power for high SNR* of > 1 W (peak) and > 0.5 W (average)
- SideKick™ controller, GUI, and SDK standard with all systems
- Proprietary HFQD™ circuitry protects your chips
*Requires suitable chip(s).
Applications:
- Standoff detection
- Process control
- Atmospheric research
- Nanoscale imaging and spectroscopy
- TIC, VOC, GHG chemical and biological agent detection
- Combustion diagnostics
- Biomedical diagnostics
- Protein analysis
- Imaging
- Photoacoustic spectroscopy
Product Specifications
| 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 |
Options & Accessories
DRS Daylight Solutions works with leaders in mid-infrared technologies to offer complete solutions for researchers. Spend less time during the acquisition process and more time working in your experiment. Each accessory can be purchased at the time of sale of a Daylight laser—Inquire about our spectroscopy bundles to learn more.
Sidekick Controller
The Sidekick controller provides flexible, precise control of laser power, wavelength, temperature, scan speed, and pulse parameters—all while protecting your laser chip with our proven HFQD™ circuitry. The Sidekick controller includes a GUI and SDK plus USB/Ethernet connectivity, providing you with elegant local/remote control and diagnostics, and multiple tuning and triggering modes.
MCT Detector from Vigo Photonics
Advanced uncooled detectors from Vigo Photonics offer high speed and accurate mid-infrared detection. These detectors are compatible with both CW and pulsed laser systems and offer large active areas with fast responses at room temperature conditions. The detector and external power supply are compact and compatible with optical accessories.
Cooler from Solid State Cooling
For the best laser performance during CW or high duty cycle operation, Daylight recommends using an external cooler. Daylight Solutions has collaborated with Solid State Cooling to provide high performance chillers capable of controlling the laser temperature even under the most intense conditions.
Request Information
Does your lab have a Hedgehog? This tunable laser head combines small size, high power, and unmatched spectral repeatability. Contact us to learn what a Hedgehog can bring to your lab or OEM application.
"*" indicates required fields