Open AccessOPSLs Meet Need for Yellow Lasers
Author(s) -
Schulze Matthias
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
optik & photonik
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2191-1975
pISSN - 1863-1460
DOI - 10.1002/opph.201700028
Subject(s) - optogenetics , laser , photonics , laser science , microscopy , optics , fiber laser , microscope , optoelectronics , computer science , nanotechnology , materials science , neuroscience , telecommunications , physics , psychology
Abstract Neuroscience represents the most dynamic and active area of life science research, in part because of massive funding programs such as the Human Brain Project (HBP) in the EU, and similar programs in USA and Asia. Photonics, and particularly lasers, are playing key roles in many important discoveries via confocal microscopy, superresolution microscopy, multiphoton microscopy and / or optogenetics. Some experiments in optogenetics need yellow laser excitation at powers up to several watts. They often need the ability to modulate the laser output and deliver it via optical fiber. Optically pumped semiconductor lasers (OPSLs) at 561 nm are meeting this need with up to three watts of output power. In this article, we see why experiments frequently need this wavelength region and explain the unique advantages of the yellow OPSL for these applications.