The LCM-S-111 series from Laser 2000 are single longitudinal mode lasers emitting at 532nm and are suitable for Raman spectroscopy, laser microscopy (LSCM, MPLSM), interference measurements, spectral analysis, flow cytometry, holography and laser-assisted measurements.

More to the point, they are relatively low cost for the performance they provide:

When looking for a laser for Raman spectroscopy, the first consideration is the linewidth. An SLM laser with narrow linewidth allows any signal wavelengths close to the laser line to be resolved . The LCM-S-111 model has such a suitable linewidth, of 0.00001nm. This corresponds to a coherence length of over 50m, hence holography is another potential application.

Modification LCM-S-111-R has been specially developed for Raman spectroscopy. An extra technical solution means that back reflection hitting the output laser aperture does not have an influence on the output power stability, which is advantageous when making measurements over time. This feature also reduces the level of optical noise under back reflection.

Although the beam quality is not necessarily of importance when considering a laser for Raman spectroscopy, a good beam quality is important for applications where the laser is coupled into fibre, such as in confocal microscopy. These lasers have TEM00, M² < 1.2 (typically 1.05).

The LCM-S-111 is available with a range of beam diameters and focal positions, which allows you to choose a beam that is easier to manipulate in your set-up. Physically, it has a small size to fit into instruments. The operating temperature range is also very good at 15-50°C.

In all, the LCM-S-111 series offer substantial value for money and are a good option for applications such as Raman spectroscopy.

For more on this series, see http://www.laser2000.co.uk/