Abstract

A compact, diode-pumped, Q-switched, Cr:LiSAF tunable two wavelength laser, has been developed and incorporated into a flow cytometer used for bio-medical diagnostics. This laser is tunable from 920 to 1000 nm, and operates at up to 2 kHz, yielding 13µJ pulses at 980 nm. Efficient tunable (475 to 495 nm) second harmonic generation is obtained by using an intra-cavity KNbO₃ crystal, and >3 µJ is produced at 490 nm. Laser induced fluorescence with excellent signal to noise ratio from has been obtained from bio-molecules that were analyzed with the pulsed laser flow cytometer.

© 1997 Optical Society of America