= Laser Amplifier =


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=== Vendor Info ===

 1. After talking with NeoLase, one candidate is the NeoVan-2S-HP. 
    * 25k euro. 
    * 30W out for 1W in. 
    * Quote and specs: [[attachment:NeoLase_QuoteSpec.pdf|Quote|]]. 
    * Paper about this amplifier performance: [[https://doi.org/10.1364/OL.44.000719 | OL.44.000719]]
    * Optional air cooling in case we want to avoid water cooling.
    * Need to confirm that the amplifier can be integrated with out Acromag slow control system.
    * Rana contacted Aug 7 to enquire about 20 W output w/ air-cooling only and 20 mW input.
 1. Quote from [[http://www.opticalenginesinc.com/products/amplifiers|Optical Engines]]:
    * [[attachment:opticalEnginesQuote.pdf|Quote_opticalEngines]]
    * 50k$
    * maybe we can have something cheaper if we supply 1W instead of their spec of 30 mW?
 1. Spoke with rep from NPphotonics - expected quote is <$30,000 for an amplifier only.
    * Re-contacted them on 25 June 2019, waiting for a response.
    * Rana contacted Arturo on --(June 25)-- Aug 7; waiting for reply.
 1. Nu''''''Fern (now Coherent) does not make amplifiers anymore, only MOPA.
 1. IPG Photonics [[https://www.ipgphotonics.com/en/products/lasers/cw-fiber-amplifiers/cw-fiber-amplifiers/yar-lp-sf-1-100-w | YAR-LP-SF]]
    * 30 W output for 5 mW input
    * ask them about 500 mW -> 30 W (44 k$)
    * quote: [[attachment:amplifier.pdf]]
 1. IPG Photonics fiber amplifier for a low power seed:
    * 20W output with 3 mW input
    * Johnny Poon says its $35k
    * [[attachment:quote20.pdf | YAR-20 ]]
 1. [[https://www.rpmclasers.com/product-category/laser-amplifiers/|RPMC lasers]]:
    * RPMC is just a distributor. The Amplifiers are made by [[http://www.bktel-photonics.com/product/optical-amplifier-in-module-or-table-top-equipment/|BKtel]]
    * $15k for 20 W.  [[https://www.rpmclasers.com/product-category/laser-amplifiers/?swoof=1&pa_wavelength=1064nm&really_curr_tax=3188-product_cat| 1064 FC amplifiers]] 
    * if we use a 20 mW seed, they add a pre-amp (cost increase by ~2.5k$)
    * contact - Shawn Smith
    * BKtel webpage [[http://www.bktel-photonics.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/DBe-THPOA-1.pdf| claims]] 40W output for 30 mW input. Seems exactly what we want.
 1. [[https://www.amonics.com/product/26| Amonics]]
    * Got in contact with them today (25 June 2019), waiting for a response
    * Oct 9: No response, crappy webpage

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Commentary from Rana (Aug 7, 2019):
 * The NeoLase stuff is probably the highest quality, but also expensive? Maik should reply by Aug 13.
 * Optical Engines, IPG, NPphotonics, all seem more expensive with little benefit.
 * My reco is that we go for RPMC/BKtel as long as their responses seem OK to us.
 * We'll have to get 3-4 quotes for competitive bidding instead of sole source justification.



====  Power Calculation ====

See [[Laser / Amplifier / PowerCalc | Power Calculation]] page 
{{https://www.thefoa.org/tech/ref/testing/test/dB-W.jpg}}


==== Why Fiber and not Free Space ? ====
Because fiber seems to be the way of the future...

What's the price / ease-of-use difference for the free space vs fiber?

If we continue with the 2W NPRO, we would use the free space amplifier, but its possible to use a RIO Planex with a fiber amplifier.