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Oxford Lasers, a pioneer in advanced imaging solutions, is expanding its portfolio with a new generation of laser illumination systems designed to meet the most demanding challenges of high-speed and bright-event imaging. These systems use short-pulsed 808 nm diode lasers to provide exceptional clarity in visualizing phenomena that are too fast or too luminous for traditional lighting. By synchronizing with monochrome high-speed cameras and allowing the integration of narrowband filters, they isolate laser illumination from ambient light, ensuring accurate, blur-free results even in the most extreme environments.

Cutting-Edge Laser Illumination

The strength of Oxford Lasers’ illumination technology lies in its precision pulsing. With extremely short bursts of light, it captures rapid motion without distortion, making it suitable for applications ranging from splashes and sprays to explosions, welding arcs, and shockwaves. The systems also support advanced methods such as Schlieren imaging, particle image velocimetry, and both front and back high-speed illumination, positioning them as vital tools in research and industrial analysis.

The FireFLY Series

Within the product line, the FireFLY series demonstrates how compact design can deliver powerful results. The FireFLY-S, built in a lightweight and splash-proof machined aluminium enclosure, is adaptable for different experiments through its use of liquid light guides and interchangeable diffusers. Its size and flexibility make it a versatile option for high-speed imaging across a range of environments. The FireFLY-LS takes this a step further by focusing on light-sheet illumination, a technique central to particle image velocimetry. By providing a uniform light-sheet thickness and integrating computer-controlled operation, it simplifies synchronization and can even serve as a master clock, giving researchers precise control during time-resolved studies.

The FireBIRD Series

Complementing the FireFLY is the FireBIRD, which represents the highest power illumination system in the Oxford Lasers range. Delivering 1000 W of output, it is offered in two models to address different imaging requirements. The LLG version uses a flexible two-metre liquid light guide and Fresnel lens to deliver focused illumination, while the DAI model employs a large Fresnel lens of around 157 mm for broad-area coverage.

The FireBIRD’s technical capabilities underline its position as a flagship system. With pulse durations beginning at 50 nanoseconds - and reduced-power options down to 15 nanoseconds - it offers unparalleled temporal resolution. Its ultra-high repetition rate, reaching 10 MHz, supports the capture of thousands of events per second. Compact, sealed, and air-cooled with an IP66 rating, the FireBIRD is designed for durability in harsh conditions, while its optional remote-control system ensures safe operation during high-energy tests.

Redefining What Can Be Seen

Together, the FireFLY and FireBIRD systems give industries and research institutions new power to capture the invisible. Whether in the study of ballistics, welding and additive manufacturing, or complex fluid flows, Oxford Lasers’ illumination systems provide the precision and reliability needed to record high-speed events with exceptional clarity. With this expansion, Oxford Lasers reaffirms its role as a leader in turning the unseen into the seen and setting new benchmarks in the field of high-speed imaging.