The RF-HHL Laser Module is a compact mid-infrared laser module offering fast amplitude modulation (AM) via a standard SMA input, providing precise control over the laser’s output power and amplitude modulation. The module is packaged in a High Heat Load (HHL) enclosure, making it ideal for demanding environments requiring efficient thermal management, and includes a thermoelectric cooler (TEC), thermistor, and collimating optics.

This laser module is highly versatile and can be configured with different laser types, including DFB lasers, high-power lasers, and comb lasers, depending on the specific needs of the application.

The RF-HHL offers an exceptional cutoff frequency at 3 dB of greater than 1 GHz, making it suitable for high-speed applications that require rapid modulation. The laser’s output can be modulated at frequencies far beyond traditional systems, making it ideal for real-time signal processing, gas sensing, and other high-frequency applications. The graph is a bode diagram of two HHL sample laser.

You can find here two examples of spectroscopic applications that rely on this type of high-speed modulation:

Journal of Applied Physics | Laser absorption measurements of temperature, pressure, CO, and CO2 at near-MHz rates in post-detonation fireballs with comparison to synthetic measurements

Optics Express | Single-beam and -detector laser-absorption velocimetry, non equilibrium thermometry, and nitric oxide measurements at near-MHz rates in hypersonic air

The frequency response of the RF-HHL module demonstrates outstanding high-frequency performance. Although the nominal -3 dB cutoff is above 1GHz, measurements show that the amplitude modulation remains detectable well into the multi-GHz range beyond the nominal cutoff point. Although the modulation depth gradually decreases, the system retains more than 20 dB of dynamic range relative to the background pick-up signal.

This extended bandwidth confirms the RF-HHL’s suitability for advanced
applications requiring fast, high-frequency modulation such as free-space optical
communications, high-speed spectroscopy, and fast feedback control