Bioanalysis
Compact DPSS lasers in the UV and visible are very attractive for use as ultra-high brightness light sources in biomedical analysis tools. Many different instrument technologies are available, but they all have in common that they are based on Laser Induced Fluorescence (LIF). The laser excites fluorescent dyes or proteins (fluorephores or biomarkers) with which the substance of interest is labelled. The fluorescence is then detected with PMTs or ultra-sensitive cameras and the data is quantitatively analysed or imaged.
These systems have to a large extent been developed around the early availability of noble gas lasers, e.g Ar, Kr, He-Ne. In recent years, however, the more compact and robust DPSS lasers with longer lifetimes have started to provide a very attractive alternative to the gas laser, and these new laser sources have largely contributed towards more compact systems targeted for use in pharmaceutical labs and clinics.
