Furthermore, first laser characterization of this material is carried out by using commercially available tunable laser systems in the continuous wave and pulsed mode as excitation sources. Since several years among other things we are using for such measurements an OPO system (optical parametric oscillator) produced by the SOLAR LS company. This OPO operates reliable with good output stability, beam quality and pointing stability. Furthermore, the OPO is characterized by a large tuning range with comparatively high pulse energy also still close the limit of the tuning curves. Due to our positive experience we did order a second OPO system form SOLAR LS and received it in May 2005. The new OPO is equipped additionally with a frequency doubling unit for the signal wave. Thus, the tuning range is extended into the UV range. Referring my experiences with OPO laser systems from SOLAR LS to date I can recommend them as devices which are easy to operate with high reliability suitable for many scientific, medical and industrial applications. Last but not least it should be mentioned that there is quite an optimum proportion between quality and price.

We have been using the lasers of SOLAR LS company for about 10 years already. We started our cooperation by purchasing a laser system comprising a CW-Q-Sw Nd:YAG and Ti:Sapphire lasers. This equipment has been in constant use ever since and proved to be highly efficient and reliable. Since then, we have worked with different kinds of SOLAR LS products, such as Nd:YAG laser systems with Harmonic Generators, OPO systems, Ti:Sapphire lasers and others and have always been satisfied with their performance. As SOLAR Laser Systems keeps developing new laser models to meet the demands of the modern market, follows new scientific investigations and applies new technologies in its products, we can perform different kinds of experiments and develop new methods of treatment using new SOLAR LS devices. We are also satisfied with the professional level and term of service maintenance provided by SOLAR LS. It should also be noted that SOLAR LS is indeed customer-oriented and always provides quick and efficient feed-back. So, I strongly recommend to use the equipment manufactured by this company.

In our investigations laser equipment plays a crucial role. Among a variety of lasers we use also two systems manufactured by Solar LS.
The first comprises an OPO pumped with the third harmonics of the Nd:YAG and provides nanosecond light pulses in the visible to near-infrared (2.2 mm) range. In the 1.5 mm wavelength, which is of special interest to our studies, it generated up to 4.5 mJ energy per pulse. The system has been commissioned 4 years ago and is in constant use ever since. It is a truly reliable laboratory workhorse. The second machine has been recently installed and is still in the running-in period. It is a novel and rather unique configuration consisting of a high power Nd:YAG operating at the basal frequency, and double OPO system with a mid-infrared output of the target wavelength range between 9 and 17 μm. In order to perform experiments in that range we had to go to the free-electron laser facility. Now we hope to be able to perform these experiments at home, using our new table-top system from SOLAR LS.