Optra Optralite Helium-Neon Laser (Gallery)
Optra, Inc. is company that used to
manufacture what is called a "Two-Frequency HeNe Laser".
Very little info is available about Optra's lasers beyond their original
U.S. Patent #4,823,348: Laser Stabilization Device.
They seem to be designed for applications in metrology similar to those
using lasers, optics, and electronics from HP/Agilent, Zygo, Excel, and
others.
The Optra Optralite is an axial Zeeman two-frequency HeNe laser like those
from HP/Agilent, but it operates with a much lower split frequency (250 kHz).
Much more information on these lasers can be found in the chapter:
Commercial Stabilized HeNe Lasers
of Sam's Laser FAQ.
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View 01 - Left front view.
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View 02 - Front closeup view. The shutter has three positions.
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View 03 - Right back view.
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View 04 - Back closeup view. The two BNC connectors are for the
internally generated "REF" signal and the output of the optical receiver
"SIGNAL" signal (called MEAS by others).
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View 05 - Left front interior view.
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View 06 - Right back interior view.
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View 07 - Left side interior view. This shows the control PCB and
DC power supply.
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View 08 - Right side interior view. The HeNe laser power supply is a
standard LSS05 from Aerotech. The ballast resistor is under the insulator
on top. The Zeeman magnet and tube heater are also visible.
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View 09 - Closeup of control PCB. Note that there are no adjustments!
- Aerotech HeNe laser tube with magnets attached
(probably from another Optralite laser).
