HNLS008R(L) Red HeNe Laser System
Chapter 2: Description
Rev C, March 23, 2015
Page 7
Chapter 2
Description
Thorlabs’ line of self-contained, low-power, red (632.8 nm) helium-neon (HeNe) gas lasers have stable output
power of 0.8 mW and a fundamental Gaussian beam. Depending on the model chosen, the output beam will be
either linearly polarized or randomly polarized (unpolarized). The state of polarization in a randomly polarized
laser beam is not truly an unpolarized source, but rather a single state of polarization that changes on a small
timescale.
2.1.1. Laser
This laser head does not have a shutter and is ready to be used out of the box. The front of the housing has a
threaded 5/8"-32 aperture (see Figure 1 below). There is a power on indicator on the top of the laser housing.
This particular laser head is designed to operate at an optimum performance level when used with the required
Thorlabs power supply.
Laser Head
Figure 1
2.1.2. Laser Power Supply
The laser includes a power supply that is specially designed to be used with the HeNe laser and is CE-certified.
There is no interlock or power indicator light on the adapter. The power supply comes pre-configured for one of
three local mains voltage: 120 VAC (no dash), 230 (-EC), or 100 VAC (-JP). See Figure 6 on page 11.
Power On Indicator
Laser Aperture
