MIRcat OPERATION
•
D11-00028-02-A
Page
10
of
54
II. SYSTEM OVERVIEW
Figure 1
. MIRcat system architecture.
NOTE:
This manual describes the safe installation, use, and maintenance of Daylight Solutions’
MIRcat™ family of widely tunable mid-IR laser systems. This product family includes MIRcat-QT
(tuning slew rates to >5,000 cm
-1
/s) and MIRcat-1xxx (slew rates up to 100 cm
-1
/s) systems. All
information in this manual applies interchangeably to MIRcat-QT and MIRcat-1xxx product
models unless stated otherwise.
As shown in Figure 4, MIRcat™ laser systems comprise the following major system components:
•
Sealed, maintenance-free MIRcat™ laser head with integrated controller
•
AC-DC power supply
•
Computer running control software
•
Optional water chiller for CW and/or high duty cycle operation
The key features and main components of the MIRcat™ system are explained in more detail below.
2. System Features
MIRcat’s modular design provides users with great flexibility to select a MIRcat configuration optimized for
their applications. The modular design allows users to factory-configure their system for one, two, three or
four pulsed or CW/pulsed modules, add a visible aiming beam*, or factory-upgrade their configuration
(type and number of modules) later. The laser modules in each MIRcat can be addressed and operated
individually, or multiplexed together (automatically, via the included control software) to create a
collectively ultra-wide tuning range. Each MIRcat laser module incorporates a mid-IR Quantum Cascade
Laser (QCL) chip as the gain medium. By using advanced packaging and miniaturization technology,
Daylight is able to provide room-temperature operation of all its QCLs, and a wide selection of QCL chip
Control
computer
(user-
supplied)
USB 2.0
MIRcat
laser
Water cooling (CW or >10% duty cycle)
Chiller
Power supply
AC
AC-DC
