Scientists from the University of Laval in Canada have made a significant breakthrough in the development of laser technologies. They have created the first fiber laser capable of producing Femtosecond (10^-15 seconds) pulses in the visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum. This discovery has the potential to revolutionize biomedical research and the processing of materials.
Overcoming problems in the development of fiber lasers
In the past, achieving visible femtosecond impulses required complex and ineffective methods. However, the new development of fiber lasers has changed the game. These lasers are reliable, compact, efficient, low-cost, and offer high brightness. With this technology, it is now possible to generate visible femtosecond pulses directly.
In a publication in the Optics Letters magazine, the scientists described a new laser that uses a fluoride fiber matrix with the addition of lantanides. This laser emits red light with a wavelength of 635 nm. It is capable of producing compressed pulses with a duration of 168 fs, a peak power of 0.73 kW, and a recurrence frequency of 137 MHz. The use of a commercial blue laser diode as an energy source has made the device reliable, compact, and economical.
Innovation and future directions
The team of scientists, including Real Valle, Mari Pierre Lord, and Michel Olivier, plans to further improve the technology by making the device completely monolithic. This improvement will reduce optical losses, increase efficiency, and make the laser more reliable and stable. The researchers are also exploring ways to enhance the pulses, their duration, and medium power.
This breakthrough has opened up new opportunities in various fields. It enables accurate and high-quality ablation of biological tissues and microscopy with bi-compton excitation. Additionally, it allows for “cold ablation” in materials processing, which results in cleaner cuts without thermal effects.