PLS-I Series

• Enhanced excitation performance in the UV–visible range
• Reliable nanosecond timing
• Flexible pulsed and CW operation
• Stable long-term output
• Consistent performance across experiments
• Low-maintenance, robust design

The PicoQuant PLS-I Series is a family of high-power nanosecond pulsed UV–visible LED sources designed for stable and flexible optical excitation across wavelengths from 355 to 600 nm. It combines short nanosecond pulses with relatively high optical output, high repetition rates, and both pulsed and CW operating modes.

Unlike conventional low-power pulsed LED sources, the PLS-I Series is designed to provide enhanced excitation performance while maintaining well-defined timing characteristics. PicoQuant specifies pulse widths of less than 1.5 ns FWHM at the highest power setting, with pulse duration shortening as the output power is reduced. Typical operating pulse widths are approximately 1–5 ns, depending on the operating conditions.

The PLS-I Series is available at several wavelengths across the UV and visible spectrum, including 355, 375, 405, 460, and 590 nm. Maximum repetition rates range from 20 MHz at 355 nm to 40 MHz for the other listed configurations.

A key feature of the PLS-I platform is its integration with the Taiko PDL M1 driver. The driver provides calibrated operation and multiple control modes, including linear mode, free-trigger mode, maximum-power mode, and burst capability. This allows researchers to control excitation conditions more precisely and adapt the source to different experimental workflows.

The PLS-I is also capable of CW operation, making it more flexible than a source designed exclusively for pulsed excitation. Depending on the wavelength, average pulsed power can reach approximately 0.3 mW, while CW output can also reach 0.3 mW.

Thermal management is provided through Peltier cooling, with stability better than 1 K for ambient temperatures between 15 and 30 °C. This contributes to stable long-term optical output and reproducible measurements.

Product Type: High-Power Nanosecond Pulsed LED
Product Family: PLS-I Series
Light Source: LED
Wavelength Range: 355–600 nm
Pulse Width: <1.5 ns FWHM
Typical Pulse Width: Approx. 1–5 ns, depending on operating conditions
Maximum Repetition Rate: Up to 40 MHz
Operating Modes: Pulsed / CW
Maximum Average Pulsed Power: Up to 0.3 mW
Maximum CW Power: Up to 0.3 mW
Cooling: Peltier cooling
Temperature Stability: Better than 1 K
Power Stability: 3% RMS, 5% peak-to-peak over 12 h under specified conditions
Driver: Taiko PDL M1
Housing with Fiber Coupling: 76 × 207 mm (Ø × L)
Design: Compact

1. Time-Resolved Photoluminescence — TRPL

The nanosecond pulse output makes PLS-I suitable as an excitation source for:

• Time-Resolved Photoluminescence
• Photoluminescence lifetime measurements
• Excited-state dynamics
• Carrier recombination studies
• Semiconductor characterization

PicoQuant specifically lists TRPL-related materials research among the relevant application areas for its pulsed-source portfolio.

2. Semiconductor Research

PLS-I can be used as a controlled optical excitation source for:

• Semiconductor materials
• Thin films
• Optoelectronic materials
• Carrier dynamics
• Photoluminescence measurements

The available UV–visible wavelengths allow researchers to select an excitation wavelength according to the absorption characteristics of the material.

3. Solar Cell Characterization

The PLS-I Series can be used for optical characterization of photovoltaic materials and devices, including:

• Solar cells
• Photovoltaic materials
• Thin-film solar cells
• Carrier recombination studies
• Photoluminescence characterization

PicoQuant specifically identifies solar cell characterization as a relevant application for this product category.

4. LED Characterization

The source can also be used for:

• LED characterization
• Optical response measurements
• Photoluminescence studies
• Semiconductor device testing

This is particularly relevant because the PLS-I provides both pulsed and CW excitation, allowing different excitation conditions to be compared.

5. Time-Resolved Optical Measurements

The short pulse width and flexible triggering make PLS-I suitable for:

• Time-resolved spectroscopy
• Transient optical measurements
• Excited-state dynamics
• Fluorescence measurements
• Photoluminescence decay measurements
• 6. UV–Visible Excitation

The wavelength selection from 355 to 600 nm covers important UV and visible excitation bands.

Typical use cases include:

• Fluorescence excitation
• Photoluminescence excitation
• Optical spectroscopy
• Semiconductor excitation
• Materials characterization