The Q-MACS product family from neoplas control GmbH — a spin-off of the Leibniz Institute for Plasma Research and Technology (INP) in Greifswald, Germany — combines ultra-low-noise laser current drivers with software-PID-regulated TEC temperature controllers in compact, modular packages. Originally developed for quantum cascade laser (QCL) absorption spectroscopy, the platform now spans single-channel, multi-channel, and OEM-embedded variants serving plasma process monitoring, environmental gas analysis, and photonic integrated circuit applications.

What distinguishes the Q-MACS current driver?

The current source achieves a noise density below 2 nA/√Hz across the 1–100 kHz band — critical for high-sensitivity absorption measurements where driver noise directly limits detection limits. Total RMS noise stays under 1 μA. The compliance voltage reaches 20 V, supporting QCL stacks and diode lasers with forward voltages well above typical TO-can devices. Modulation bandwidth extends to 12 kHz, enabling wavelength modulation spectroscopy (WMS) techniques without an external modulator.

How does the integrated temperature controller work?

Each Q-MACS variant embeds a bidirectional TEC controller with software-configurable PID parameters stored in onboard EEPROM. The controller drives up to ±3 A through Peltier elements, with two TEC voltage ceiling options: 4.3 V for compact TO-3-packaged lasers in the Basic and LH series, and 15 V for higher-heat-load HHL-packaged lasers in the CW series. Temperature setpoint, NTC beta value, and TEC current limits are all adjustable via RS232. The operational temperature span is -25 to +40°C, with optional water cooling for the SC-II and LH3-II modules when ambient heat sinking is insufficient.

Which Q-MACS variant fits a given application?

The Q-MACS platform spans configurations for different integration levels. The Q-MACS Basic CW is a benchtop/lab driver for HHL-packaged CW lasers with integrated fans and D-SUB9W7 connector. The Q-MACS Basic SC-II is a single-channel unit with integrated 125 MS/s data acquisition and TO-3 socket for spectroscopy experiments. The Q-MACS Basic LH3-II is a miniature laser head (80 × 40 × 25 mm, ~150 g) embedding both driver and TEC controller at the laser for minimal cable-length noise pickup. The Q-MACS Basic MC drives up to 8 QCLs simultaneously in pulsed or CW mode with flexible channel synchronization for multi-gas sensing without feedback loops. All variants ship with Q-MACSoft control software for parameter configuration and laser monitoring.