Santec HSL‑20‑C‑E 1310nm SS‑OCT Swept Laser

Santec introduces the HSL‑20‑C‑E swept laser. Built on proprietary MEMS technology, this compact integrated light source combines high‑speed scanning and long coherence length, optimized for SS‑OCT imaging systems. Configurable start trigger and k‑clock outputs are available to meet development requirements for medical‑biological imaging and industrial non‑destructive inspection equipment.

Key Product Features

The HSL‑20‑C‑E is a MEMS external‑cavity swept laser source dedicated to SS‑OCT applications, balancing scanning speed, imaging depth and spectral bandwidth. It is offered as a benchtop unit and OEM board‑level version to facilitate system integration.

• 1310 nm operating band with scan range ≥105 nm to guarantee axial resolution for OCT systems
• High‑speed scanning at 50 kHz or 100 kHz with ±0.1 kHz accuracy for fast A‑line acquisition
• Long coherence length ≥16 mm for extended imaging depth in deep‑penetration inspection scenarios
• Integrated K‑trigger together with start trigger outputs for timing synchronization of backend data acquisition and reduced system‑development effort
• Maximum optical output power ≥40 mW for sufficient imaging signal‑to‑noise ratio
• High duty cycle ≥45 % under unidirectional scanning to enlarge valid sampling window
• Compact footprint of 150 × 226 × 72.5 mm to save chassis space; OEM customization is supported for equipment miniaturization

Key Technical Specifications

Application Fields

1. Swept‑Source OCT (SS‑OCT) Systems: Core imaging light source for biomedical and industrial OCT devices
2. Biomedical Imaging: Cardiovascular endoscopic imaging, dental imaging, anterior‑segment microscopy and biological microscopic observation
3. Industrial Non‑Destructive Inspection: Defect detection for resin and molded plastics, semiconductor topography measurement, laser‑welding monitoring and on‑line non‑invasive quality inspection
4. Spectroscopy and Optical Sensing: Spectral measurement, optical‑sensor research and instrument development

About the Manufacturer

Headquartered in Japan, Santec is an established supplier of photonic components and OCT imaging light sources with in‑house MEMS swept‑laser development capability. Its product portfolio covers OCT swept sources and optical test instruments. Regional offices are located in Japan, the United States, Europe and Shanghai‑China, delivering standard products, OEM hardware and comprehensive technical support.

FAQ

Q1: What is the function of K‑trigger on HSL‑20‑C‑E?

A: K‑trigger (K‑clock) outputs wavelength‑synchronized signals for resampling in OCT data acquisition. It corrects wavelength non‑linearity and simplifies SS‑OCT system development.

Q2: Is OEM integration supported for this laser?

A: Yes. Besides the benchtop unit, an OEM board‑level version is available for embedding into customer‑designed instruments.

Q3: What does the 100 kHz rating represent?

A: 100 kHz refers to the A‑line scan rate, delivering 100 000 wavelength sweeps per second to enable high‑speed real‑time OCT imaging.

Q4: What impact does coherence length have on OCT performance?

A: Coherence length determines the maximum imaging depth of an OCT system. The ≥16 mm value satisfies most medical and industrial deep‑inspection requirements.

Selection Notes

1. A complete SS‑OCT setup requires additional hardware such as acquisition cards and balanced photodetectors.
2. The 100 kHz high‑speed variant imposes strict timing requirements on backend acquisition hardware. Evaluate peripheral hardware performance during solution design.
3. Contact Santec sales engineers to assess feasibility for OEM or functional‑modification requests.