Helium-Neon Laser - Photonics Technologies Ltd

eLas Helium-Neon Laser

The Helium Neon Laser (HeNe) is a versatile gas laser source designed for training and education, offering a wide range of experimental possibilities. The educational kit has been designed to assist students in understanding the interaction of the different components of a gas laser, laser resonators, mode properties, as well as the influence of different wavelength selective optical components used for gas lasers.

Quick Setup and Flexible Experimentation

All optical and fine-mechanical parts for setting up the kit are included, saving you time in the preparation of undergraduate experiments. The components can be installed and exchanged in a short time, allowing students to investigate properties of the laser with minimum set-up between measurements.

Complete Optical Kit on a Compact Rail System

Mounted on an optical rail, the HeNe is the perfect choice for multipurpose undergraduate laboratories – an optical table or breadboard is not required. All you need to perform a wide range of optical experiments is contained within the educational kit.

Two versions of resonator output power are available: <1 mW (Class 2) and >5 mW (Class 3R). Contact us (link) to discuss the possible options.

Price on Application

Modes of Operation:

Some of the possible modes of operation are:

Several confocal, hemispherical and concentric resonators (symmetric and asymmetric) at 632.8 nm with low (<1 mW) output power
The same resonators as above, but with high (>5 mW) output power
HeNe Laser with birefringent filter for wavelength tuning at 611.8 nm, 629.8 nm, 632.8 nm, 635.2 nm and 640.1 nm
HeNe Laser with Littrow prism for wavelength tuning at 611.8 nm and 632.8 nm
HeNe Laser with single mode etalon for single mode operation

Additional Information:

The provided electronics controller for the HeNe laser tube allows a variation of the tube current and comprises an internal photo diode amplifier with indication. A quick start-up alignment of the laser resonator is ensured by delivery of an adjustment DPSS laser in a holder with own power supply to define the optical axis on the flat rail.

Full Version (recommended):

An open frame gas laser consisting of a He-Ne tube with Brewster windows and separate resonator mirrors, with wavelength and mode selection.

The full version of the HeNe laser can be used to demonstrate and teach the basics of gas lasers such as: resonator stability, coherence and mode behaviour. By variation of the resonator mirrors, the resonator properties and its influences on the laser power and stability can be evaluated. Wavelength selection by a birefringent filter and Littrow prism can be performed. Using an optical grating, different laser lines can be spatially separated. Longitudinal mode selection can be investigated using a single mode Etalon.

Basic Version:

All the components necessary for the set up and operation of an open frame HeNe laser in various resonator configurations, allowing the user to complete power measurements using this laser.

Extended Version:

In addition to the features of the Full Version, the Extended Version includes components needed for investigations of polarization and crystal optics. Measurements of linear polarisation caused by Brewster windows of the laser tube, rotation of linearly polarised light using a quarter wave-plate, proof of Malus’ law (relationship of light intensity with polarisation angle), and investigation of elliptical and circular polarised light using a quarter wave-plate.

Possible measurements (all versions):

Relative output power of the laser as a function of laser tube current
Beam diameters inside a resonator as a function of resonator coordinate
Output power as a function of laser tube position within the cavity
Transversal mode structures
Relative output power and optical stability range as a function of resonator length

Kit includes:

All Versions:

Flat rail 1500 mm reinforced by profile with scale
Controller LTS 1500 for HeNe tube and photo diode amplifier
Right kinematic mirror adjustment holder
Left kinematic mirror adjustment holder
Photo detector with BNC cable
Adjustment laser (green DPSS module) with power supply
Set of 3 laser mirrors
Non-reflecting caliper

Full and Extended Versions:

Birefringent filter
Littrow prism
Single mode etalon
An additional 2 laser mirrors
Optical transmission grating

Extended Version Only:

Pair of polarization filters
Half-wave plate
Quarter-wave plate
Set for optics cleaning