hardware:lasers - diSPIM Wiki

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====== Lasers  ======

Various laser launches can be used with diSPIM.  Below find notes specific to each one.

In normal diSPIM use the laser launch will be controlled using its digital TTL inputs.  The Tiger controller's PLC card will be generating those signals, which will turn the lasers on/off at the appropriate times and selecting the correct side.  For information on connecting the cables see the appropriate [[:docs:manual#connecting_cables | section of the manual]].  The analog intensity is generally static during the experiment and so can be controlled using the high-level software (Micro-Manager or vendor's software) over a USB or serial connection; there may be some enabling that needs to happen using the high-level software.  If analog intensity must be controlled during an experiment then ASI can provide a separate Tiger card which can drive the laser's analog inputs.

In general the laser power requirements are very modest, e.g. you only want at most a few mW of optical power at the sample.  So no need to pay for lasers with extra power.

==== Getting Dual Outputs ====

For a dual-view system it is helpful to have a laser launch with dual outputs.  These are not common but multiple options are commercially available (see below).

If you don't buy a laser launch with dual outputs, there are various options.  First, you can split the beam into 2 fibers and then use the scanners to blank the beams.  This gives decent but incomplete blanking (up to 0.1% bleed-through).  Passive fiber splitters are inexpensive and compact but the split ratio depends on wavelength => doesn't work well for multicolor.  You can also split into 2 paths on an optical table, which is relatively bulky and requires some expertise.  However, you can get a 50/50 split across wavelengths and it's even possible to insert shutters to fully block the beam.

Second, you can add a galvo or 1x2 switch yourself between the laser output and the two scanners.  Currently the only commercial switch known is a Leoni 1x2 switch which has fiber inputs/outputs.  You will need to couple the laser's fiber with the switch's input fiber, e.g. with a butt-coupler and it's attendant losses and possible degradation over time.  You could also find a vendor to do fiber splicing.  There may be other switching options available and not documented here, and at least one additional commercial 1x2 switch is being developed for this purpose.

==== Laser Launches Used with diSPIM ====

Below are notes about commercial laser launches that have been used with diSPIM.


=== Toptica MLE ===

[[http://www.toptica.com/products/multi_color_systems/ichrome_multi_laser_engine_l.html | Vendor's brochure for MLE-L]].

== Implementation notes ==
  * Special dual-output version available on request
  * choice of multiple laser lines installed at factory
  * automatic alignment feature makes setup easy even after shipping
  * very compact form factor compared to other launches
  * fibers have NA ~0.06
  * 50 ohm SMB inputs for each laser on/off, version with switch has high impedance BNC input for fiber select built into interlock cable

== Micro-manager notes ==
  * Use Toptica MLE device adapter.  Fairly full-featured and supported by Toptica.

=== Spectral Applied ILE ===

(no info seems to be available online but similar to LLM5 with dual output option)

== Implementation notes ==
  * has dual output option
  * form factor similar to large desktop computer
  * choice of multiple laser lines installed at factory
  * fibers have NA ~0.12
  * high-impedance inputs for each laser on/off and side select on DB-15 connector (ASI can provide breakout cable to BNC)

== Micro-Manager notes ==
  * use the LLM5 device adapter (not maintained by manufacturer)
  * doesn't support the intensity scale factor but otherwise should be fine
  * switcher shows up as a fake wavelength in property browser

=== Agilent ===

== Implementation notes ==
  * dual-output version available
  * quite bulky form factor compared to other launches
  * high impedance inputs for each laser on/off and side select
  * not possible to have intensity selected by software while on/off triggering done by hardware => added complexity in driving analog inputs

== Usage notes ==
  * Must take care to get master blanking signal correct
  * Because of all-or-nothing external control, must have means to provide analog intensity control (not needed with any other launch)

== Micro-manager notes ==
  * device adapter present??


=== Coherent OBIS/Galaxy ===

== Implementation notes ==
  * separate OBIS lasers and Galaxy combiner allow in-field addition or substitution of lasers
  * possibly available with Leoni switch already fiber-spliced


== Micro-manager notes ==
  * Use OBIS device adapter (not maintained by manufacturer)
  * As of Nov 2015, device adapter only works with single-line OBIS; with the multi-line box only the laser in the first position can be controlled


=== Intelligent Imaging LaserStack ===

== Implementation notes ==
  * multi-fiber output module available ("FiberSwitcher")
  * generally sold by 3i intended to be used with their Slidebook software
  * has high impedance inputs for each laser on/off and side select
  * has analog intensity inputs


== Micro-manager notes ==
  * Probably would work if you had way to control intensity, e.g. by DAC card.
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