ER400 1535nm 400µJ Eye-Safe Laser for Long-Range LiDAR and Rangefinders

PRODUCT OVERVIEW

ER400 is a compact 1535 nm pulsed laser source based on Er:Yb glass microchip technology, designed for long-range LiDAR and rangefinders.

KEY FEATURES

• ✔ 1535 nm Eye-Safe Operation (Class 1)
• ✔ 400µJ Pulse Energy
• ✔ Compact OEM Design
• ✔ High Pulse Stability
• ✔ Long Lifetime

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

APPLICATIONS

DOWNLOADS

• Datasheet (PDF)
• Outline Drawing — request from our team
• Integration Guide — request from our team

Product Description

ER400 1.54µm / 1535nm 400µJ Eye-Safe Erbium Glass Microchip DPSS Laser

The ER400 is a high-energy 1535nm eye-safe erbium glass microchip DPSS laser designed as the transmitter core for long-range LiDAR, laser rangefinders and target designation modules. It uses an LD-pumped erbium-doped glass gain medium in a compact microchip cavity to generate nanosecond pulses at 1.54µm, combining high single-pulse energy with a very small mechanical envelope.

The device delivers ≥400µJ pulse energy with a typical pulse width of about 6ns and a repetition rate adjustable from 1 to 10Hz. Beam quality is TEM₀₀ with a raw beam diameter around 0.3mm and divergence ≤7mrad, providing a tight, clean beam that is easy to collimate for long-distance propagation. Pulse stability is specified at 10%, which supports consistent echo levels for time-of-flight ranging and LiDAR point cloud acquisition.

Mechanically, the ER400 fits into a 35×8×6.8mm³ housing and weighs roughly 12g, making it suitable for direct mounting on driver PCBs inside compact rangefinder and LiDAR engines. Electrically, the typical load voltage is <2V with a high drive current (up to tens of amps), drive pulse width ≤2ms and PRF up to 10Hz. The driver supply must be matched carefully to these parameters; otherwise the laser may fail to operate correctly or suffer overload damage.

The ER400 is built for harsh environments. It operates from −40°C to +65°C and can be stored between −55°C and +75°C. Shock resistance is rated at 1500G / 0.5ms and vibration capability at 20–2000Hz / 20G, while lifetime is specified at more than one million shots, meeting the requirements of long-term fielded systems.

Operational guidelines emphasize safe wiring and parameter control: power must be disconnected before wiring; polarity and connections should be checked carefully to avoid short circuits or reversed terminals; operating parameters such as voltage, current, pulse width and repetition rate must be set according to the factory test report before enabling emission. The output window should be kept clean and should not be touched; if contamination occurs, it must be cleaned before use to prevent loss of energy and potential optical damage. Proper mounting torque (around 0.2 N·m on both mounting lugs) is recommended to maintain mechanical stability without stressing the housing.

With its 1.5µm wavelength, the ER400 operates in an eye-safer regime where radiation is strongly absorbed by the cornea and lens rather than the retina, reducing the risk of permanent eye injury and making it suitable for open, man-in-the-loop environments. Typical applications include long-range laser rangefinders, airborne and UAV-borne LiDAR payloads, naval and vehicle-mounted EO/IR systems, and industrial or infrastructure monitoring where multi-kilometer distance and high peak power are required.

OUTLINE DIMENSION

Figure 1 Outline Dimensions (mm)

Operating Instructions

• Match the laser driver to the ER400 laser.
  The laser driver power supply must be properly matched to the laser.
  The typical load voltage of the ER400 is < 2 V, with an operating current of 15 A, pulse width < 2 ms, and a repetition rate of 10 Hz. For the exact operating parameters, please refer to the attached factory test report. The laser driver power supply must meet these requirements; otherwise, the laser may fail to operate properly or could be overloaded and permanently damaged. Therefore, before wiring, carefully check the laser specification sheet and confirm that the laser is compatible with the selected driver.

• Always disconnect power before wiring.
  Before making any connections, make sure the power is switched off and completely isolated. During wiring, carefully check the positive and negative terminals of the laser and ensure correct polarity. After the wiring is completed, perform a thorough inspection to confirm that all connections are correct, in order to avoid short circuits, reverse polarity, and other faults. At the same time, make sure all terminals are firmly secured to prevent poor contact due to loose wiring.

• Set operating parameters according to the factory test report.
  After confirming that the wiring is correct, set the corresponding parameters on the driver according to the attached factory test report. Once the parameters are correctly set, turn on the driver; the laser should then operate normally.

• Keep the laser output window clean.
  Take care to keep the laser output window clean and do not touch the window surface. If contamination occurs, clean the window thoroughly before operating the laser.

• Use the correct mounting torque.
  Because the overall length of the laser housing is relatively long, when fastening the laser via the mounting lugs on both sides, use a torque screwdriver set to 0.2 N·m. Excessive or insufficient torque may affect the mechanical stability and performance of the laser.