Helium-Cadmium-Laser (HeCd) von Kimmon Koha - Image 2

Helium-Cadmium Laser (HeCd) by Kimmon Koha

CW gas laser with high spectral purity
Wavelengths 325 nm (UV) and 442 nm (blue)
Single-wavelength and dual-wavelength systems
Outputs up to 100 mW at 325 nm
Outputs up to 180 mW at 442 nm
TEM₀₀ Single Mode or TEMmn Multi Mode available
High coherence and stable polarization
Ideal for Raman spectroscopy, photoluminescence, and holography
Air-cooled systems

Helium-Cadmium laser for demanding scientific and industrial applications

The Helium-Cadmium Laser (HeCd) by Kimmon Koha are continuously emitting gas lasers for applications where high spectral purity, good beam quality, and high coherence are required. The systems are equipped with 325 nm in the UV range, 442 nm in the visible blue spectral range as well as Dual-wavelength laser with both wavelengths available.

Kimmon Koha has been working on the development of gas lasers since 1966 and began 1971: began manufacturing HeCd lasers. According to the manufacturer, as of 2019, more than 46,000 HeCd laser systems sold. As a result, Kimmon has decades of experience with this specific laser technology.

The current product family includes numerous performance levels and beam configurations. Depending on the application, available are TEM₀₀ single-mode or TEMmn multi-mode systems are available. At 325 nm, the specified output powers range up to 100 mW; at 442 nm, up to 180 mW. In addition, Kimmon offers dual-wavelength systems that emit both wavelengths simultaneously.

325 nm UV HeCd laser

The UV models emit at 325nm and are particularly well-suited as a source of excitation for spectroscopic and materials science studies.

An important area of application is the Photoluminescence (PL). Short-wavelength UV radiation can be used, for example, to study semiconductor materials. Kimmon specifically cites the study of lattice defects in GaN semiconductor crystals as an application for 325-nm lasers.

Other potential applications include Raman spectroscopy, holography, and coherent exposure techniques.

442 nm HeCd laser

The ones at 442 nm Emissions-reducing models offer higher output power of up to 180 mW and are suitable for applications in the visible blue spectral range.

Kimmon lists 442-nm HeCd lasers, for example, for Direct Imaging. In the process, photosensitive materials can be exposed directly using the laser without prior production of a conventional photomask.

Thanks to their combination of short wavelength, continuous emission, and high coherence, HeCd lasers are also ideal for interference and holographic applications.

Dual-wavelength HeCd laser

For applications that require two excitation wavelengths, Kimmon offers Dual-wavelength systems with 325 nm and 442 nm an.

The current series includes both TEM₀₀ single-mode and multimode variants. Depending on the model, simultaneous emission provides output powers of up to 30/110 mW in single mode or rather 40/150 mW in multi-mode available.

I think this is particularly worth mentioning for your site because the two drop-down menus at the top, „325 nm“ and „441.6 nm,“ currently give the impression that you always have to choose one Wavelength is the deciding factor.

Typical applications

I would tidy up the existing area a bit and align it more closely with Kimmon's current information:

Raman Spectroscopy
Photoluminescence
Semiconductor and material characterization
Holography
Fabrication of holographic and optical gratings
interference exposure
Direct Imaging and Lithography
Fluorescence excitation
microscopy
Research and Development

On his current product page, Kimmon explicitly lists photoluminescence, Raman spectroscopy, holography, direct writing, and multi-beam interference lithography as typical HeCd applications.

High coherence for holography and interference methods

A particular strength of HeCd lasers is their suitability for coherent optical processes. In interference lithography, for example, the laser beam is split into multiple beam paths and then superimposed on a photosensitive surface. The resulting interference patterns can be used to produce very fine periodic structures and optical gratings. Kimmon specifies structures ranging from several hundred to about a thousand lines per millimeter in this context.

Raman spectroscopy and photoluminescence

The wavelengths of 325 and 442 nm make HeCd lasers interesting excitation sources for spectroscopic methods. In the Raman Spectroscopy they are used, among other things, for the structural analysis of organic and inorganic compounds as well as for the analysis of semiconductor nanocrystals.

At the Photoluminescence in particular, the UV wavelength of 325 nm enables the excitation of various semiconductor materials and the investigation of defects, impurities, and material properties.

Advantages of Kimmon HeCd Lasers

UV and visible laser emission from an established laser technology
325 nm and 442 nm available
Dual-wavelength systems available
Output powers up to 100 mW in the UV
Output powers up to 180 mW at 442 nm
TEM00 single mode and multimode available
High coherence
Suitable for demanding spectroscopic methods
Wide range of scientific and industrial applications
Extensive model range

Manufacturer

Kimmon Koha Co., Ltd. is a Japanese manufacturer of laser sources with special expertise in the field of helium-cadmium lasers. The development of gas lasers began in 1966, and the production of HeCd lasers in 1971. In addition to HeCd lasers, Kimmon now develops and produces UV and high-power fiber lasers, among others. According to the manufacturer, the design, assembly, alignment, and testing of the laser systems are largely carried out in-house.

laser type	gas laser
Wavelength	325nm, 441.6nm
Average power:	Blue up to 180mW, UV up to 100mW

Available Models

The Kimmon Koha Helium-Cadmium Laser are available in numerous performance levels for 325 nm (UV) and 442 nm (blue) available. Depending on the application, systems with TEM₀₀ Single Mode, Multimode as well as Dual-wavelength output at 325 nm and 442 nm available.

325 nm – UV, TEM₀₀ Single Mode

For applications with particularly high beam quality and coherent UV radiation, various power levels are available. The 325 nm single-mode series achieves output powers from a few milliwatts up to 50mW and is particularly suitable for photoluminescence, Raman spectroscopy, holography, and demanding optical measurement techniques.

325 nm – UV, Multimode

For applications where higher UV output is the priority, Kimmon offers multimode variants with output powers up to 100 mW at 325 nm. They are suitable, among other things, for exposure, material analysis, and industrial applications with increased power requirements.

442 nm – Blue, TEM₀₀ Single Mode

The single-mode systems in 442 nm combine high beam quality with output powers up to 100 mW. Typical areas of application are Raman spectroscopy, holography, interferometry, direct imaging, and optical metrology.

442 nm – Blue, multimode

For applications with particularly high power requirements, multi-mode HeCd lasers with up to 180 mW at 442 nm available. They offer the highest output power within Kimmon's current HeCd product family.

325 nm + 442 nm – Dual Wavelength

The Dual-wavelength HeCd laser generate UV and blue laser radiation simultaneously, thereby enabling measurement and analysis methods with two excitation wavelengths from a single laser system.

As TEM₀₀ Single Mode are configurations with output powers of up to 30 mW at 325 nm and 110 mW at 442 nm available.

For applications with higher power requirements, there are also multimode dual wavelength systems with up to 40 mW at 325 nm and 150 mW at 442 nm available.

Selection of the suitable HeCd laser

Which model is best suited depends in particular on the required Wavelength, output power, beam quality and coherence length ab. For applications with high demands on spatial beam quality, a TEM₀₀ variant is generally recommended, whereas multimode systems enable higher output powers.

For applications that require both UV and visible excitation, the dual-wavelength systems offer both wavelengths in a single laser system.

Soliton is happy to assist you in selecting the appropriate Kimmon HeCd laser configuration for your application.

Applications

Stereolithography (Rapid Prototyping)
Imaging Mask
Production of holograms and holographic gratings
Photoluminescence excitation of semiconductors and other materials.
CD mastering / stepper
Phase modulated fluorescence spectroscopy
Photo cross linking
Two-wavelength microscopy
Raman Spectroscopy