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Stabilized Red HeNe Laser![]()
HRS015B Power Supply Included Application Idea HRS015B Mounted in an HCM2 Related Items ![]() Please Wait
This laser is shipped with a power supply with a universal voltage input.
![]() Click for Dimensions Features
Thorlabs' Stabilized Helium Neon Laser, with a center wavelength of 632.991 nm, allows for either frequency or intensity stabilization, necessary for many spectroscopy, interferometry, and wavemeter applications. In frequency-stabilized mode, the laser will keep its lasing frequency (i.e., wavelength) constant, while in intensity-stabilized mode, the laser will keep its output power constant. For more details on the stabilization modes, please see the Stabilized HeNe tab. Under normal operating conditions, the lifetime of the HRS015B will be around 25,000 hours. The laser’s output is linearly polarized, with the polarization axis marked by a laser engraved line on the laser’s front face. The graphs below show the stability of the laser in intensity-stabilized mode and frequency-stabilized mode. As seen in the graph on the left, the HRS015B laser's power stabilizes significantly in less than 15 minutes of operation in intensity-stabilized mode and then reaches the final stabilized value in ~1 hour. If the power to the laser needs to be cycled after reaching stabilization in frequency-stabilized mode, the typical time to relock the laser is ~5 min, as shown in the graph on the right. Please note that the relock time depends on the shut down period as the laser will continue to cool while the power is off. Switching between these modes can be accomplished using the switch on the side of the laser housing, as seen in the Stabilized HeNe tab. Please note that back reflections into the laser aperture will impair the ability of the control loop to stabilize the frequency or intensity of the laser. Furthermore, large amounts of back reflections can potentially disturb the population inversion of the laser, rendering it unable to lase properly. For instances where back reflections cannot be avoided, Thorlabs recommends using an optical isolator (for example, Item # IO-2D-633-VLP). Additionally, due to the significant ASE background, a bandpass filter should be used for precision measurements. The laser is housed in a cylindrical tube, which can be conveniently mounted in a V-clamp mount such as Thorlabs' C1513 Kinematic Mount. The Ø1.77" tube is also compatible with our HCM2 HeNe Mount for 60 mm Cage Systems, as pictured above. For details on our assortment of HeNe accessories, please see the HeNe Accessories tab. The front bezel of this stabilized laser is internally SM1 (1.035"-40) threaded for compatibility with any of Thorlabs' SM1-threaded components. The front face also includes an integrated beam stop and an industry-standard 4-40 tapped hole pattern compatible with our SM05AHN SM05-Threaded Adapter and HCL FiberPort Adapter. Please note that when attaching a FiberPort for collimation or coupling, the FiberPort must be intentionally misaligned by a small amount in order to avoid back reflections into the laser aperture. Thorlabs also offers a 1532.8323 nm Frequency-Locked Laser that can be used as a wavelength reference source. ![]() Click for Details Click Here for Raw Data The plot above shows the power fluctuations over an eight hour period in intensity-stabilized mode after a cold start. The fluctuations above represent the percent difference from the average power over the last four hours of measured data. Click on the graph to see a comparison between the power fluctations of the HRS015B and those of the former model. ![]() Click to Enlarge Click Here for Raw Data The plot above shows the fluctuation in frequency over five hours of operation in frequency-stabilized mode. The fluctuations above represent the difference from the average frequency over the 5 hour period. To see the above data presented as absolute wavelength over time, click here. ![]() ![]()
This laser is shipped with a power supply with a universal voltage input. ![]() Click for Dimensions Stabilized HeNe LasersStabilized HeNe lasers offer the ability to change between two modes of operation: frequency and intensity stabilization.
Frequency Stabilization Mode ![]() Click to Enlarge The switch on the side of the laser housing controls the stability mode. Since our stabilized HeNe features a single mode output, the coherence length is increased to hundreds of meters. Intensity Stabilization Mode On Thorlabs' HRS015B Stabilized HeNe, either mode can be quickly selected by adjusting the toggle switch (shown to the right) into the desired position. Allow the laser up to 2 minutes to stabilize after the mode has been switched. Protect Against Back Reflections FiberPort and Thread AdaptersAdapters for Standard Cylindrical HeNe LasersaThe SM05AHN Thread Adapter allows SM05-threaded components to be attached directly to the front of a HeNe laser and is ideal for enclosing a HeNe beam path using SM05 Lens Tubes. The HCL FiberPort Adapter allows a FiberPort coupler to be attached directly to the front of a HeNe laser. Both adapters can be attached to the laser via counterbored slots that fit industry-standard M3 and 4-40 four-bolt patterns. The HCL can also be mounted via the internal C-Mount-Threaded (1.00"-32) central bore. Please note that when attaching a FiberPort for collimation or coupling, the FiberPort must be intentionally misaligned by a small amount in order to avoid back reflections into the laser aperture. Mounting AdaptersHCM2 Cage Mount![]() Click to Enlarge The HCM2 Cage Mount enables integration of a cylindrical HeNe laser with a diameter between 1.74" and 1.77" (44.2 mm and 45.0 mm) into a 60 mm cage system or SM2 (2.035"-40) lens tube system. The HCM2 provides ±1.0 mm of coarse X and Y adjustment, and is compatible with Ø1/2" and Ø1" posts. Large V-Clamp Mounts![]() Click to Enlarge The C1512(/M) and C1513(/M) are designed specifically for fastening Ø0.56" (14 mm) to Ø2" (50 mm) cylindrical lasers to Thorlabs' rigid Ø1.5" Posts. One PM4(/M) Clamping Arm is included with each unit and additional clamping arms can be purchased as needed here. Laser Safety and ClassificationSafe practices and proper usage of safety equipment should be taken into consideration when operating lasers. The eye is susceptible to injury, even from very low levels of laser light. Thorlabs offers a range of laser safety accessories that can be used to reduce the risk of accidents or injuries. Laser emission in the visible and near infrared spectral ranges has the greatest potential for retinal injury, as the cornea and lens are transparent to those wavelengths, and the lens can focus the laser energy onto the retina. Safe Practices and Light Safety Accessories
Laser ClassificationLasers are categorized into different classes according to their ability to cause eye and other damage. The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a global organization that prepares and publishes international standards for all electrical, electronic, and related technologies. The IEC document 60825-1 outlines the safety of laser products. A description of each class of laser is given below:
Insights into HeNe LasersScroll down to read about:
Click here for more insights into lab practices and equipment.
HeNe Lasers: Handling and Mounting Guidelines![]() Click to Enlarge Figure 1: The external housing of HeNe lasers is mechanically coupled to the components of the lasing cavity. Stress applied to the external housing can misalign and potentially fracture lasing cavity components, which can negatively impact the quality and power of the output laser beam (red arrow) or lead to laser failure
HeNe lasers should be handled and mounted with care to protect them from damage. Never apply a bending force to the laser housing. Stress applied to the laser's external housing can misalign or damage components in the laser cavity. This can:
Factory packaging protects the HeNe lasers from shocks and vibrations during shipping, but end users directly handle the bare laser housing. Due to this, HeNe lasers are in greater danger of experiencing dangerous stress during handling by the end user. A result is that the primary cause of damage to HeNe lasers is rough handling after receipt of the laser. In extreme cases, shock and vibrations can shatter or fracture glass components internal to the laser. To maintain the optimum performance of your HeNe laser, do not drop it, never use force when inserting it into fixture, and use care when installing it into mounts, securing it using cage components or ring accessories that grip the housing, transporting it, and storing it. HeNe lasers will provide optimum performance over a long lifetime when they are handled gently. Date of Last Edit: Dec. 4, 2019
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