IRX Pockels Cells
Utilizing a patented design to enhance lifetime and power handling, the IRX series operates in the 7.0–12 µm wavelength range with active apertures from 3–10 mm, at repetition rates up to 100 kHz.
Full Product Description- Optical material:
- CdTe
- Wavelength:
- 7.0–12 µm
- Contrast Ratio:
- >500:1
- Active Aperture:
- 3–9 mm
- Repetition Rate:
- 100 kHz
- Optical transmission:
- >98% @ 10.6 µm with 10.6 µm coatings
- Rise time:
- 10-90% (theoretical) into 50 Ω line: ~0.3 ns
Product description
These Pockels cells offer a voltage contrast ratio that is greater than 500:1 at 10.6 µm. The IRX series has a patented design that isolates the CdTe crystal from the exterior environment which increases the lifetime and has water-cooled designs available to increase the average power handling capacity.
Initially designed to address the Q-switched CO2 laser market at 10.6 um, the IRX series is able to address applications beyond the spectral range of traditional oxide Pockels cells. CdTe is well suited to this purpose as it has a high electro-optic coefficient and is non-hygroscopic.
We utilize proprietary techniques for crystal growing, fabrication, and polishing techniques to provide reliable, high-performing CdTe Pockels Cells in the IRX series.
Key features
- High electro-optic coefficient CdTe crystal
- Available with apertures ranging from 3-10 mm
- AR coated or Brewster-cut crystals available
- Environmentally isolated EO crystal
- Customized versions available
- Active cooling available (patent pending)
- Operation from 3 μm-12 μm up to 100 kHz
- Patent pending environmental control and high power water cooled option
- Non-hygroscopic material
- Low optical absorption
Specifications
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Optical material | CdTe |
| Wavelength | 7.0–12 µm |
| Contrast Ratio | >500:1 |
| Active Aperture | 3–9 mm |
| Repetition Rate | 100 kHz |
| Voltage contrast ratio (VCR) | >500:1 @ 10.6 µm |
| Single pass wavefront distortion | < λ / 4 @ 10.6 µm |
| Spectral range of operation | Must specify wavelength or band within 5-12 µm range |
| Optical transmission | >98% @ 10.6 µm with 10.6 µm coatings |
| LIDT | 2.3 J/cm², 1 mm diameter, 2.94 µm, 2 Hz, 100 ns² |
| Capacitance (DC) | ~ 6 pF |
| Rise time | 10-90% (theoretical) into 50 Ω line: ~0.3 ns |
| Duty cycle | < 10% in 1 s (applied voltage time/total time) |
| Typical specifications | IRX3 | IRX4 | IRX5 | IRX7 | IRX9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aperture diameters¹ | 3 mm | 4 mm | 5 mm | 7 mm | 9 mm |
| DC quarter-wave voltage (±6%) @ 10.6 µm | ~4 kV | ~5 kV | ~6 kV | ~7 kV | ~9 kV |
¹ Custom aperture sizes available
² Recommended operation at 1/10 this fluence for increased longevity. LIDT will vary with wavelength and beam parameters.
