|
Recent advances in ultrafast laser and supercontinuum generation technology have enabled the development of novel types of compact fiber based ultrafast lasers and frequency combs operating above 2 microns. The first prototypes of these lasers have successfully gone through the industrial feasibility studies and are entering the market.
These sources are characterized by ultrashort pulse duration down to few optical cycles, Watt level output power, tens of nanojoules pulse energy, and up to GHz repetition rate. Important aspect of the new technology is the tunability of the laser output. The emission wavelength of the femtosecond laser is selectable by the customer in the wide spectral range, roughly from 2 to 3 um. In the case of all-fiber design, the emission wavelength could be also made electronically tunable up to 2.5 micrometres, while keeping the pulse duration in femtosecond range. Alternatively, if demanded by application, the laser can be configured as a coherent supercontinuum light source with spectrum reaching wavelengths well beyond 3 um.
The built-in tunability of femtosecond pulses, high quality frequency combs as well as the ability to produce supercontinua directly from the laser allows using these light sources in a range of new and exciting application areas in science and industry. The application areas include, but are not limited to microelectronics, photovoltaics, THz generation, confocal nonlinear microscopy and surgery, as well as environmental, oil and gas sensing.
The talk will overview the proprietary ATLA Lasers AS laser technology of the mid-infrared ultrashort pulse lasers and supercontinuum sources. Focus will be made on the specific aspects of the technology making it particularly attractive for industrial applications demanding either high quality processing or ultrahigh sensitivity measurements.
|
