Ultrafast OPOs & OPAs

FSC Series OPOs

Delivers high power, broadband coherent light.

Our OPO is our flagship product. We are the first company to offer tunable optical parametric oscillator products that cover both the near-IR and mid-IR wavelength regions.

Our near-IR OPO generates light across the 1.4 µm – 4 µm region (7100 cm-1 – 2500 cm-1). Wavelength selection is achieved by translation of a PPLN crystal with varying grating periodicity.

Our mid-IR OPO makes use of a new generation of non-linear crystals which allows the generation of light across the 5 µm – 12 µm region (2000 cm-1 – 1000 cm-1).

Both systems are optically pumped by the FSC series 1040 HP, which is fully integrated into the optical head to maximize stability and reduce the overall footprint.

The near-IR OPO generates few-picoseconds pulse durations which doesn’t require long hours in set up time. Our laser source does not require water cooling and comes with a simple user interface, making it one of the easiest laser sources to operate.

For spectroscopy applications and CARS microscopy, there is often a need to tune to several specific wavelengths. The ability to generate light at these longer infrared wavelengths is key to detecting a wide range of solids, liquids, gases. Being able to generate instantaneous broadband light across the 3 – 4 µm wavelength region lends itself to being able to identify and quantify a large number of hydrocarbons using techniques such as FTIR spectroscopy. The same is also true across the 5 – 12 µm fingerprint region where more complex chemical signatures can be readily identified.

Applications

• Vibrational spectroscopy

• FTIR / stand-off techniques

• Multi-species gas analysis

• Telecoms / Quantum research

• Materials characteristics

• Explosive detection

• Raman spectroscopy

Features & Benefits

• Compact laser housing with an integrated pump source

• Broadband, coherent beam

• An intuitive web browser interface

Tunability and high average power enables a broad range of spectroscopic and sensing applications.

Specifications:

(1) Near-IR OPO

• Signal Wavelength: 1.4 µm –1.8 µm

• Signal Power: Up to 850 mW (@ 1.5 µm) and > 350 mW across the range

• Idler Wavelength: 2.4 µm – 4 µm

• Pump Source: Fully integrated FSC-1040 pump laser

• Repetition Frequency: 100 MHz

• Control interface: Web browser interface. Ethernet & serial port (RS232) also available.

• Cooling: Air cooled

• Dimensions (Near IR Laser Head | Control Unit): Length: 814 | 483 mm; Width: 255 | 285 mm; Height: 86 | 86 mm

(2) Mid-IR OPO

• Output Wavelength: Output within 5-12 µm available (2000 cm-1 –833 cm-1)

• Output Power: Up to 80 mW at 5-7 µm and up to 10 mW at 12 µm

• Crystal Specifications: Crystals with different central wavelengths available.

• Pump Source: Fully integrated FSC-1040 pump laser

• Repetition Frequency: 100 MHz

• Control interface: Web browser interface. Ethernet & serial port (RS232) also available.

• Cooling: Air cooled

• Dimensions (Near IR Laser Head | Control Unit): Length: 970 | 485 mm; Width: 245 | 285 mm; Height: 86 | 86 mm

Representative instantaneous bandwidth as the OPO is tuned across its full range. Water absorption lines can be observed across the 5.5 – 7.5 μm range.

Good News: FSC Series Ultrafast Lasers for Hire:

Hire one of our ultrafast lasers to experience their power and robustness first-hand. You can now use our femtosecond fiber lasers, or tunable optical parametric oscillators, to accelerate your research without incurring the total cost of ownership.

Our FSC-1040 laser and FSC series OPOs can be drop-shipped and installed remotely, without the presence of an onsite engineer. Our ultrafast lasers are easy-to-use and operational ready straight out of the box – so you spend less time running the equipment, and more time pioneering results.

Hire an ultrafast laser system and test drive our capabilities. Please send your email to us to receive details about hire costs and the availability of our demonstrator systems.

Application Notes:

• Measuring Picosecond Fluorescence Lifetimes using a FSC 520

• Deep tissue cardiac imaging using the FSC 1040

• SHG imaging in starch and collagen fibres using the FSC 1040

• Two-photon fluorescence microscopy using the FSC 1040

• Two-Photon Lightsheet Microscopy using the FSC 1040

• Heating of Hybrid Gold-Iron Oxide Nanoparticles in Biological Media using the FSC 1040

• Supercontinuum using FSC 1040

• Two-Photon quantum interference and entanglement at 2.1μm using the FSC 1040 and Near-IR OPO

• Active FTIR-based stand-off spectroscopy using a femtosecond optical parametric oscillator

• White powder identification using broadband coherent light in the molecular fingerprint region

• Stand-off identification of aerosols using mid-infrared backscattering Fourier-transform spectroscopy (Near-IR OPO)

• Photon counting LIDAR at 2.3μm wavelength with superconducting nanowaves

• Open-path multi-species remote sensing with a broadband optical parametric oscillator

• Experimental observation of gain in a resonantly pumped Pr3+doped chalcogenide glass mid-infrared fibre amplifier

• Dual-comb spectroscopy in the spectral fingerprint region using OPGaP optical parametric oscillators

• Infrared fingerprint-region aerosol spectroscopy

• Molecular fingerprint-region spectroscopy from 5 to 12μm using an orientation-patterned gallium phosphide optical parametric oscillator

FSF Series 1030 nm Industry Grade Femtosecond Oscillators

This is not a usual laser. This is the superhero of laser oscillators. It has special superpowers that make it stand out from the crowd. Super-short yet ultra-fast. Small in size but very stable and robust. The earth may tremble but the laser will operate as usual. Same power, same pulse and no degradation over many years. Meet our Oscillator – the first SESAM-free and truly-all-fiber 1030 nm ultrafast laser.

This oscillator was specifically developed to be the rock-solid heart of the SFS series amplified system. It is built upon our truly-all-fibre technology, with no degradable components inside and no SESAM. The oscillator is equipped with a special self-starting solution ensuring the laser mode-locks every time. This feature together with the low size and power consumption makes the Oscillator perfect for OEM applications.

The Oscillator can be used in applications that need pure and stable laser pulses. Applications include:

• Seeding amplifiers

• Neuroscience

• Two photon imaging

• Ultrafast science

Features:

• Truly all-fiber construction

• Extreme endurance to shock and vibration

• Long lifetime with no degradable components

• High temperature stability

• Small footprint

• Self-starting, OEM-ready product

• Every laser we produce is subject to rigorous tests.

Options:

• Ultra-short pulse option <190fs: output compressor module allowing the compression of output chirped pulses. Changes the scope of the fiber output into the free-space output.

• Higher-harmonic generation option: module converting the 1030 nm output wavelength into 515 nm, 343 nm or 258 nm. Changes the scope of the output power.

• Pulse duration adjustment option: allows to adjust the pulse duration. Only available with the “ultra-short pulse option”.

• Remote control console: key-switch, warning light, interlock equipped console for the non-OEM use.

Specifications:

• Type of output: fiber connector

• Pulse duration: chirped pulse (compression option available <190fs)

• Maximum average power: >25mW

• Pulse energy: >2.5nJ

• Polarization: linear, vertical

• Central wavelength: 1030 ± 5nm

• Optional wavelength outputs:    515nm, 343nm, 258nm

• Repetition rate: 20 MHz (other on request)

• DImension: 190x159x31mm

FSF Series Optical Parametric Amplifiers

Our optical parameter amplifier is a device that precisely converts ultrafast pulses of one band (e.g. 1030 nm pulses coming from FSF series femto-second lasers) into a set of pulsed laser beams tunable in an extremely broad spectrum of wavelengths, ranging from 210nm up to 2600nm. All automated, all software-controlled.

Growing number of ultrafast spectroscopy techniques has prompted the need for a robust and reliable, self-diagnostic device. The Optical Parametric Amplifier can be fully compatible with most femtosecond lasers and provides automated tuning across the basic tuning range.

Features:

• Quick and precise, all-automated tuning

• Passive and stable

• User-friendly software

• Perfect extension for the SFS series femto-second lasers

The OPA is a versatile piece of equipment, due to its broad range of tuning and high conversion efficiency. When seeded with a reliable ultrafast laser such as our femto-second lasers, it may find use in many applications like pump probe spectroscopy, non-linear optics & neuroscience.

Specifications

Performance and tuning

• * – for signal and idler

• ** – combined signal and idler with respect to input pump laser average power at 200 kHz. SH – second harmonic, TH – third harmonic, FH – fourth harmonic

• *** – BOL – beginning of lifetime

STKM Series Oscillators and Amplifiers

1. STKM-YFi OPA Robust, Briefcase-sized Tuneable Ultrafast SWIR/MWIR Source

The STKM-YFi OPA is our vertically integrated optical parametric amplifier pumped by a STKM-YFi HP. The class-leading pulse duration of the 1035 nm centred STKM-YFi HP results in both a stable, coherent white light seed source and exceptionally high conversion efficiency into the short-wave and mid-wave infrared.

Y-FiTM OPA Unique Features:

• Tuneable repetition rate range of 1-2 MHz

• > 15% conversion efficiency into Signal and Idler

• Supports < 50 fs pulses

• STKM-YFi HP output (1035nm, 3μJ) also available, direct or residual after OPA

• Compact form factor: 12”x16”x5.5” optical head

Features:

• Coherent white light seeded OPA

• Average power up to 400mW in the Signal and 100mW in the Idler

• <1.5% shot-to-shot pulse energy deviation in Signal

• Excellent beam quality: M2 typically <1.4

• Residual 1 mm output available at separate port

• Intuitive control GUI including wavelength and pulse optimization

• Combination of clean (low pedestal) short pulses and high energy gives higher peak intensities to drive nonlinear optical processes

• Custom configurations available

STKM-YFi OPA Tuneability

Specification

• * At the tuning range minimum

• ** Measurement performed on SHG of signal at tuning range maximum

• *** At the tuning range peak

• **** Typical performance

STKM-YFi OPA Example Data:

	2-photon image of signal mode λ = 1350 nm	4-photon image of idler mode λ = 4000 nm

Application:

• Short-wave infrared (SWIR) supercontinuum generation

• Mid-wave infrared (MWIR) supercontinuum generation

• Three and Four photon excitation fluorescence microscopy

• Pump probe spectroscopy

• Tip-enhanced mid-wave infrared nanoscopy and nanospectroscopy

• Retina-safe coherent Raman scattering (simulated Raman scattering, coherent anti-stokes Raman scattering, impulsive stimulated Raman scattering, etc.)

2. STKM-Halcyon – Ti:Sapphire Oscillator

The STKM-Halcyon repetition-rate stabilized oscillator is popular with customers who need to synchronize oscillator laser pulses with pulses from another laser or with a synchrotron.  Electronics included with the STKM-Halcyon lock its output to the customers reference signal and can provide timing jitter of less than 150 fs.  Stabilization of the repetition rate is achieved through multiple features including a temperature-stabilized breadboard, a motorized stage for coarse feedback, and a small piezo-mounted mirror for fast feedback.  Our team works closely with each customer to ensure that the system meets their specific needs.  Due to the flexible design of STKM-Halcyon it can lock to reference signals over a very wide range:  75 MHz to 4 GHz.

Applications:

• Synchrotron locking

• Pumping OPOs

• Materials Research

• Femtochemistry

• Spectroscopy

• THx Generation

• Ultrafast Imaging

• 2-photon polymerization

• Pump-probe experiments

Unique Features:

• Low jitter, <150 fs, locking to your RF reference signal

• Customer-specified reference frequency: 75 MHz – 4 GHz

• Ultrashort sub-12 fs pulses, up to 1.4 W average power

• Easy-to-use, computer-controlled interface

Product Configurations:

• STKM-Halcyon-5: <12 fs, 750-840 nm, >550 mW, 75-102 MHz, Integrated 5 W pump

• STKM-Halcyon-10: <25 fs, 750-850 nm, >1.4 W, 75-102 MHz, Integrated 10 W pump

Custom configurations available

3. STKM-Griffin – Ti:sapphire Oscillator Family

Our SYKM-Griffin series of Ti:sapphire oscillators gives customers ultimate control over their system, are simple to maintain, and offer a wide range of performance specifications enabling many different applications.  These prism-based oscillators use Kerr lens modelocking to generate ultrashort < 12 fs pulses.  All STKM-Griffin lasers include computerized control of the spectral bandwidth and center wavelength and water-cooled breadboards for maximum long term stability. There are options within STKM-Griffin series that include integrated pump lasers and diagnostics. STKM-Griffin lasers are very simple to maintain, since components are easily accessible.

Applications:

• Frequency conversion into the UV and mid-IR

• Pumping OPO

• Materials Research

• Femtochemistry

• Spectroscopy

• THz Generation

• Ultrafast Imaging

• 2-photon polymerization

• Pump-probe experiments

Our STKM-Griffin oscillator was used as the front end seed of a 0.85PW laser amplifier system operating at 3.3Hz.

Product Configurations:

• STKM-Griffin-5: <12 fs, >550 mW, 750-840 nm tuning range, 80-95 MHz

• STKM-Griffin-10: <15 fs, >1.4 W, 750-840 nm tuning range, 80-95 MHz

• STKM-Griffin-10-WT: <25 fs, >0.8 W, 700-920 nm tuning range, 80-95 MHz

Custom configurations available

4. STKM-RAEA Series Ultrafast Ti:sapphire Amplifier

20W average power over a wide range of repetition rates

STKM-RAEA  sub-25 fs, single-box amplifier is a fully engineered and integrated commercial source based on a single rugged optomechanical pla!orm. It employs our' patented cryogenically-cooled amplifier technology, allowing for a continuous trade-off between pulse energy and repetition rate flexibility, optimizing the laser to utilize its full output power while also optimizing pulse energy for the experiment. It offers often more than an order of magnitude increase in experimental throughput.

STKM-RAEA Unique Features:

Optimized for pumping HHG using STKM-XUUS extreme UV ultrafast source.

Systems Built to Perform

Sealed modular components for plug and play upgradeability

• Hands-free, software-based operation including repetition rate adjustments, and real-me power and spectrum monitoring and tuning

• Next-generation oscillator

• Unprecedented output power for a single-stage Ti:sapphire system

• 2nd-generation cryocell technology for improved performance and temperature-cycling capabilities, and ultra-low maintenance

The Cryo-cooling Advantage:

Cooling a Ti:sapphire crystal to 50-80K results in greater than a 200x decrease in thermally-induced distortions in the beam being amplified. At 90W pump power, the thermal lens of several meters is easily managed, while a room temperature crystal would exhibit a catastrophic < 1 cm thermal lens effect. This capability underpins our unique ability to offer versatile repetition rate and power-scalable systems.

Applications:

• High harmonic generation (HHG)

• Frequency conversion, OPA pumping

• Materials research

• Femtochemistry

• Laser particle acceleration

• Spectroscopy

• THz generation

• Ultrafast Imaging

• Pump probe experiments

Features:

• Cryogenic cooling enables highest average powers on the market

• Average power 20W from a single box configuration

• Pulse energies up to 20 mJ

• Software based tuning of repetition rate

• Pulse duration of < 35 or < 25 fs

• Excellent beam quality: M2 typically 1.1-1.2

• Intuitive control GUI including wavelength, bandwidth, power, and repetition rate control with integrated diagnostics

• One-box configuration with integrated pump lasers and oscillator

• Combination of clean (low pedestal), short pulses and high energies gives higher peak intensities to drive nonlinear processes

Non-Collinear Optical Parametric Amplifier

• Pulses as short as 14 fs1

• Near TEM00 output mode

• Compact, user-friendly design

• White light continuum-seeded for high stability

iNOPA™ is a white light continuum-seeded, non-collinear, optical parametric amplifier capable of generating extremely short pulses when pumped by the Model IMPULSETMYb-doped Fiber Oscillator/Amplifier. To generate short pulses the output beam of the Model IMPULSE laser is split into two beams inside the Model iNOPA enclosure. One beam is used to generate an extremely broad continuum seed beam which is then amplified by the second, higher intensity beam from IMPULSETMin a BBO crystal operated in a non-collinear arrangement. Non-collinear amplification preserves the very broad linewidth of the seed beam, which can then be compressed to a pulsewidth as short as 15 fs in a prism compressor. Non-collinear amplification is preferred since the resulting pulsewidth is dependent only on the bandwidth of the seed and not on the pulsewidth of the pump laser. In fact, conversion efficiency is improved by having a longer, rather than shorter, pump pulse because the there is more overlap in time between the two beams.

• Specifications when pumped with 10uJ/pulse from a Model IMPULSETM

• Pulsewidth: <40fs (deconvolved)

• Repetition Rate: 1MHz (other repetition rates available as options)

• Tuning range: 650nm to 950nm and 1100nm to >1300nm (other tuning ranges available options)

• Pulse energy: >250nJ/pulse at peak of tuning range

• Noise: <1%rms for f >2Hz

• Polarization: Linear, horizontal

• General

• Size: 15"W x 32.5”L x 9”H

• Electrical/Water: None

Please contact us for more information.

1Christian Schriever, Stefan Lochbrunner, Patrizia Krok, and Eberhard Riedle;Tunable pulses from below 300 to 970 nm with durations down to 14 fs based on a 2 MHz ytterbiumdoped fiber system, OPTICS LETTERS / Vol. 33, No. 2 / January 15, 2008