IO-5-780-HP
Free-Space Isolator, 780 nm, Ø4.7 mm Max Beam, 40 W Max
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Key Highlights
Designed for 780 nm laser systems with an adjustable narrowband operating range.
Ø5 mm clear aperture for larger free-space laser beams.
High-power capability: up to 40 W CW or 500 W/cm² power density.
High optical transmission: >92%.
High optical isolation: 38–44 dB.
Adjustable wavelength range: 780 ± 40 nm.
Based on the Faraday effect for non-reciprocal optical isolation.
Designed to protect lasers from back reflections and optical feedback.
Compact free-space configuration for integration into laboratory optical systems.
Suitable for high-power laser applications where conventional low-power isolators may not be sufficient.
Designed for polarization-dependent operation.
Description
The Thorlabs IO-5-780-HP is a high-power, free-space optical isolator designed for laser systems operating around 780 nm. It uses a magneto-optic Faraday rotator to provide non-reciprocal polarization rotation, allowing light to propagate efficiently in the forward direction while strongly attenuating light returning toward the laser source. The isolator provides >92% transmission and 38–44 dB isolation, making it suitable for demanding optical systems where reflected light can cause laser instability, mode hopping, amplitude modulation, frequency shifts, or other unwanted feedback effects. A major advantage of the IO-5-780-HP is its high-power capability. It is rated for up to 500 W/cm² and 40 W CW, with a 5 mm aperture. This makes it particularly appropriate for high-power 780 nm laser systems compared with lower-power 780 nm isolators. The isolator is an adjustable narrowband design with a tuning range of 780 ± 40 nm. This allows the polarization optics and Faraday rotator to be adjusted to achieve maximum isolation within the specified wavelength range. Because this is a polarization-dependent isolator, the input laser polarization must be correctly aligned with the input polarization axis of the isolator. A half-wave plate can be used after the isolator when rotation of the output polarization direction is required.
Specifications
Product Type: High-Power Free-Space Optical Isolator Part Number: IO-5-780-HP Design Wavelength: 780 nm Tuning Range: 780 ± 40 nm Operating Range: 760–800 nm Isolator Type: Adjustable Narrowband Isolation: 38–44 dB Transmission: >92% Clear Aperture: Ø5 mm Maximum CW Power Density: 500 W/cm² Maximum CW Power: 40 W Operating Principle: Faraday Effect / Non-Reciprocal Polarization Rotation Optical Configuration: Free Space Polarization: Polarization Dependent Adjustment: Adjustable Faraday Rotator / Polarizer Orientation The 38–44 dB isolation represents the specified performance range, while transmission is greater than 92%. The 40 W and 500 W/cm² ratings should be considered together with the actual beam size, power distribution, and operating conditions of the laser system.
Application
The IO-5-780-HP is suitable for a wide range of high-power laser and photonics applications, including:
780 nm Laser Systems
High-Power Laser Beam Delivery
Laser Feedback Suppression
Optical Isolation
Laser Stabilization
Atomic Physics
Rubidium Spectroscopy
Laser Cooling and Trapping
Cold Atom Experiments
Quantum Optics
Precision Spectroscopy
Interferometry
Optical Metrology
Nonlinear Optics
Laser Beam Characterization
Photonics Research
Scientific and Laboratory Laser Systems
The IO-5-780-HP is particularly well suited to high-power 780 nm laser systems where back-reflected light must be suppressed without significantly reducing forward optical power. Its combination of Ø5 mm aperture, >92% transmission, 38–44 dB isolation, and 40 W CW power capability makes it a strong choice for demanding free-space laser setups.