IRX Pockels Cells
Specifically designed for mid IR operations at repetition rates up to 100 kHz, the IRX series is a desirable option for Pockels cells, utilizing a patented design for enhanced lifetime and power handling and a choice of active apertures from 3 – 9 mm.
Full Product Description- Optical material:
- CdTe
- Wavelength:
- 7.0–12 µm
- Contrast Ratio:
- >500:1
- Active Aperture:
- 3–9 mm
- Repetition Rate:
- 100 kHz
- Single Pass Distortion:
- < λ / 4 @ 10.6 µm
Product description
Initially designed to address the Q-switched CO2 laser market at 10.6 µm with both intrinsic and voltage contrast ratios greater than 500:1, the IRX series is able to address applications beyond the spectral range of traditional oxide Pockels cells. CdTe, the primary crystal for the IRX series, is well suited to this purpose as it has a high electro-optic coefficient and is non-hygroscopic. In addition, the CdTe crystal is encased with G&H’s patented design that isolates the crystal from the exterior environment and water-cooled designs are available to increase the average power handling capacity.
We utilize proprietary techniques for crystal growing, fabrication, and polishing techniques to provide reliable, high- performing CdTe Pockels Cells in the IRX series.
Options
Water-cooled options available
Applications
Q-switching of CO2 lasers for medical surgery and aesthetics, industrial machining, military defense, semiconductor manufacturing
Key features
- Non-hygroscopic CdTe crystal with high electro-optic coefficient and low optical absorption
- Wavelength operation from 7 µm – 12 µm with repetition rate up to 100 kHz
- Available with apertures ranging from 3-10 mm
- AR coated or Brewster-cut crystals available
- Operation from 3 μm-12 μm up to 100 kHz
- Patent pending environmental control and high power water cooled option
Specifications
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Optical material | CdTe |
| Wavelength | 7.0–12 µm |
| Contrast Ratio | >500:1 |
| Active Aperture | 3–9 mm |
| Repetition Rate | 100 kHz |
| Single pass insertion loss @ 10.6 µm | < 2% |
| Voltage contrast ratio (VCR) @ 10.6 µm (parallel polarizers) | > 500:1 |
| Single Pass Distortion | < λ / 4 @ 10.6 µm |
| Capacitance (DC) | ~ 6 pF |
| DC quarter-wave voltage | 2 -4.5 kV |
| 10-90% rise time (theoretical) into 50 Ω line | ~0.3 ns |
| LIDT (1 mm diameter, 2.94 µm, 2 Hz, 100 ns) | 2.3 J/cm² |
| Operating temperature | 15°–35° C |
| Storage temperature | -55°–85° C |
| Humidity | Non-condensing environment |
| Duty cycle | < 10% in 1 s (applied voltage time/total time) |
| Typical specifications | IRX3 | IRX4 | IRX5 | IRX7 | IRX9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aperture diameters | 3 mm | 4 mm | 5 mm | 7 mm | 9 mm |
| DC quarter-wave voltage (±6%) @ 10.6 µm | 2 kV | 2.5 kV | 3 kV | 3.5 kV | 4.5 kV |
