Five Features To Look For In A High-Speed Optical Shutter

When you are in the market for a high-speed optical shutter, there are some things that you need to keep in mind. This is because high-speed optical shutters vary and their suitability to any particular application will be affected by this variance. High-speed optical shutters are designed to modulate ladder light to deliver precise and effective energy to any application. For example, high-speed modulation of laser beams by these laser shutters enables laser tools to perform tasks that require precision. These may involve micro-machining, tracking reactions in a very short time frame, and related applications. When considering high-speed optical laser shutters, here are some important things to keep in mind.

Consider Switching Speed

Switching speed is simply the time it takes for the shutter to open and close. This is the effect that creates the modulation that we talked about earlier. The higher the switching speed is, the higher the speeds of the laser pulses. In applications that require very high speeds switching speeds are measured in nanoseconds and sometimes even picoseconds. At such rates, laser tools can perform very precise functions such as eye surgeries and other delicate processes.

Before purchasing your high-speed laser shutters, it is important to talk to an expert who can give you an idea of what kind of switching speeds are suitable for you.

Extinction Ratio

Another important aspect to consider when purchasing high-speed optical shutters is what is known as the extinction ratio. This metric refers to the ability of the shutter to block out laser beams when the shutter is closed. Depending on the intensity of the laser beams that you are using, you must always consider the ability of your shutters to block out the beams as this will affect the results that you are looking to achieve. If your shutters are unable to effectively contain the beams, it will affect the result of any process that you are undertaking as the modulation will not be precise.

You must also remember that the closing action of the shutters is often a safety mechanism to protect users from dangerous laser beams that are emitted by laser devices. If this closing mechanism is not effective, users may be in danger of being harmed by dangerous light rays. An important aspect to consider when determining the right extinction ratio is to understand the capacity of your shutters as well as the strength of the laser beams that you will be using for your application.

Optical Damage Threshold

Laser beams are energy beams and when the shutter cuts them off in its closing action, it essentially has to contain the energy beams within the system. Optical damage threshold is a metric that looks at how much energy the shutters can withstand before they are damaged by the laser beams. If you pick a plastic optical shutter that has a lower optical damage threshold than the beams that you are using, you will end up with a damaged shutter and potentially expensive repairs to make.

The trick here is to make sure that the high-speed optical shutters that you select have a significantly higher optical damage threshold than the laser beams that you will be using. This way, you can be certain that no damage to the shutters will occur. It is important to peg this threshold to the peak power or maximum power of your laser tool.

Reliability

Given the fact that laser tools are often used for precision jobs, the high-speed shutters that you use must operate dependably and reliably over time. What this means is the shutters must open and close with the same timing and extinction ratio every time. The reason this matters is the fact that if you are using your laser tool for precision measurement, you want consistent results every time. Not having this can cause you significant damage and can even affect your profitability. For example, if the precision of your laser tools keeps changing, you might find that many of the goods you are producing with the system do not adhere to the same quality standards, leading to the risk of recalls.

The best way to effect this is to make sure that any high-speed shutters that you use have a reputation for reliability and durability. Sourcing your high-speed shutters from established manufacturers is a great way to achieve this.

Compatibility

Although this may sound obvious, it is important to make sure that your high-speed laser shutters are compatible with your laser systems. This means compatibility with the laser’s wavelength, repetition rate, and pulse energy. When considering these factors, think about the shutter’s aperture size as well as its mounting mechanism. This will affect how well it will work within your system.

If you are unclear about which high-speed shutter works best for your application, NM Laser Products Inc. can make the process easy for you. We have been producing high-quality laser shutters for 35 years right here in the United States. Our products are used all over the world, and we are always happy to help our clients navigate through the process of identifying the right optical laser shutters for the systems. Contact us today to learn more about how our products can increase your efficiency.