High repetition rate and high voltage Pockels cell drivers.
EKSPLA Electronics introduces the latest generation of its PCD Series Pockels Cell Drivers, offering a compact and high-speed solution for controlling high-voltage pulses in the most advanced laser systems. The series seamlessly provide high voltage output pulses up to 9.8 kV, repetition rates up to 6 MHz and pulse durations starting from 0 ns up to infinity to meet the exact needs of industrial, scientific, and medical applications, where precision, durability, and integration flexibility are paramount.
The drivers are designed for high-speed switching of light polarization by applying HV to an electro-optical crystal and are incorporated in applications such as pulse picking, Q-switching, mode-locking, and cavity dumping. The PCD series is compatible with a wide range of Pockels cells employing BBO, RTP, KD*P, KTP, LiNbO₃, and CdTe crystals.
The PCD drivers are widely used in solid-state femtosecond, picosecond, nanosecond and CW lasers across industrial, medical, and scientific sectors. In industrial laser systems, they support precise micromachining, welding, and cutting processes. In the medical field, they are integral to applications in ophthalmology, dermatology, and surgical procedures. Meanwhile, in scientific research, EKSPLA drivers play a key role in advanced areas such as fusion research, spectroscopy, and high-energy physics, where precision and stability are essential.
A key feature of the PCD Series is its efficient thermal management. Expertise in this field allows EKSPLA to reduce footprint of drivers making them twice smaller than typical competition. Compact size makes drivers ideal for OEM integration, contributing to a smaller overall footprint of the laser system.
Another important feature of the driver is its exceptional ability to eliminate the risks of corona discharge inside the driver, high-voltage overshoot and ringing, as well as superior electrical noise management. The key to effectively managing these risks lies in the topology and the careful selection of electrical components. This approach results in outstanding long-term reliability, with the vast majority of units demonstrating a Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) exceeding 10 years of continuous 24/7 operation, even under the most demanding conditions.
Despite their compact footprint, these drivers provide high-voltage output pulses up to 9.8 kV, with repetition rates reaching 6 MHz. Fast electrical pulse rise times as low as 5.5 ns, combined with pulse durations ranging from 0 ns to virtually infinity, make this driver line suitable for an exceptionally wide range of applications with minimal customization.
The most unique option amongst EKSPLA’s HV switches is Fast Amplitude Modulation (FAM) version which allows to control amplitude of an each individual HV pulse. It helps user to manage optical pulse gating in a more flexible way.
With more than 60 standard HV switch versions already developed, each matched with compatible high-voltage power supplies, the Pockels cell driver line offers most likely the widest selections available on the market. This variety enables easy adaptation into different laser architectures optimizing system’s performance and cost.
EKSPLA’s commitment to customer success extends well beyond the product itself. For instance, OEM and high-volume customers benefit from long-term technical support (up to 10 years after the dispatch of products), case by case free upgrades, and extended warranty options. The electronics team also provides online integration assistance and complimentary repair services under qualifying conditions.
Trusted worldwide
With more than 99 % of products performing error-free for over a decade in the most challenging conditions, they serve as living proof of quality.
Our drivers power cutting-edge systems used by CERN, NASA, ELI, Max Planck Institutes, MIT, and Cambridge University. EKSPLA serves top-tier industrial, medical, and scientific laser manufacturers in over 60 countries and 80+ world-class universities.
