Photos of NIST Helium-Neon Lasers

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Photos of NIST Helium-Neon Lasers

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) (formerly the National Bureau of Standards) isn't a manufacturer but does fabricate their own equipment for advanced research projects.

NIST Iodine Stabilie Helium-Neon Laser (Gallery)
The NIST iodine stabilized laser is one such device. The Frazier ISHL described elsewhere is based on a NIST design, but this one I've dubbed it the "NIST ISHL" because the unit has a NIST label but no model designation. And the only other place I've found the same laser is on a NIST Web page: See: NIST: Iodine Stabilized Helium-Neon Laser. This sample is either the same laser, or more likely, one of a small number of copies.
Much more information on iodine stabilized lasers (including this one) can be found in the chapter: Commercial Stabilized HeNe Lasers of Sam's Laser FAQ.
- View 01 - Left front view. The glow of the tube is not nearly as dramatic as in the NIST photo, above, which suggests either (1) that the cover on this laser is less transparent or more likely (2) that the photo was doctored. :) The latter is suggested by that fact that the beams have definitely been enhanced for visual impact as the output power from both lasers in the photo are much much less than 1 mW. In addition, the beam from the ISHL is narrow, not fat as in that photo. :-)
- View 02 - Front closeup view with NIST label. The beam sampler, photodiode, and preamp are behind the black cover
- View 03 - Right back view.
- View 04 - Back closeup view. The connections to the PZT are behind the black cover.
- View 05 - Left front interior view.
- View 06 - Right back interior view.
- View 07 - Left side interior view.
- View 08 - Right side interior view.
- View 09 - Closeup of iodine cell. This is virtually identical to those found in the Frazier or later NIST ISHL except that it has tapped holes on one side so it can be secured directly to the HeNe laser tube cylinder.
- View 10 - Closeup of one of four (4) micrometers for tube centering. The large cylindrical bar - one of 3 - is actually what supports the entire resonator, secured at 2 points to the base.
- View 11 - Closeup of connections to HR PZT. The HR mirror is glued to the PZT which is glued to the rear plate.
- View 12 - Closeup of beam sampler, photodiode, and its preamp. The OC mirror is glued to a PZT as well.
- View 13 - Closeup of the connectors on the instrumentation cables - one each for phodiode (4 pins), OC PZT (2 pins), HR PZT (2 pins), iodine cell photodiode (4 pins), and iodine heater/temperature sensor (4 pins).

NIST Iodine Stabilized Helium-Neon Laser 1

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