China Launched First Ever Deep UV Laser Device

The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) on 10 September 2013 launched a Deep UltraViolet (DUV) solid-state laser device. The Deep UV Laser Device would help to detect the biological, chemical agents and explosives.

The device marks the world's first-ever output of 1064-nanometer's 6 harmonic frequency multiplication, shortening the diode-pumped solid-state laser (DPL)'s wavelength to 177.3 nm.

China is the first-ever country in the world to possess such technology.

About Deep UV laser device

A DUV wave refers to the light wave whose wavelength is shorter than 200nm. Synchrotron radiation and gas discharge are among the main non-coherent light sources to produce DUV lasers. A KBBF prism coupling device-based DPL source features a smaller size, higher energy resolution and higher photon influx density.

Potassium beryllium fluoro borate (KBBF) is a non-linear optical crystal that can transform laser light into DUV for use in solid state lasers.

Applications of Deep UV Laser Device

• Improved detection of airborne chemical and biological agents.
• Enhanced detection of explosives and explosive residuals.
• Significant improvement in the ability to inspect microchips with solid state metrology.
• Advanced research and development of new semiconductor materials and applications.
• Deep ultraviolet (UV) light can be used to sterilise bacteria and viruses, decontaminate drinking water and in fluorescence sensors to detect chemicals.