The PPL 400 is a stand-alone, computer controlled laser system for the generation of nanosecond pulses with programmable pulse shapes. It is connected to the host computer via a standard USB connection.

The central part of the laser system are up to 4 individual programmable waveform generators. Each generator outputs a combination of a flat top square pulse and a sawtooth with adjustable amplitude and slew rate. Start and stop times of the pulse can be chosen within one of three time bases in each channel. The outputs from all waveform generators are combined, and the sum signal is used to directly modulate the output of a laser diode. The optical output power of the laser is fully voltage controlled which allows a much better extinction ratio than electrooptically modulated sources.

The PPL 400 can be programmed through an easy to use Windows control software. The software provides a graphical preview of the output of all waveform generators as well as the combined signal that drives the laser diode and thus corresponds to the optical pulse's temporal modulation. Last settings are saved inside the PPL 400 to allow stand-alone operation.

The PPL 400 is build from four modules: a mainframe with a power supply, an oscillator module (SOM 828), one or two dual channel waveform generation modules (SWM 828) and a voltage controlled laser module (VCL 828) with polarization maintaining fiber output.