High-Pulse-Energy Ultrafast Laser for Spectroscopy & Micromachining

PROBLEM THIS TECHNOLOGY SOLVES:

Provides high energy femtosecond pulses (up to 1000 nJ/pulse) at a repetition rate between that of commercial OPO & OPA systems. Tuneable output from NIR to Visible spectrum.

TECHNOLOGY

Ultrafast lasers find broad application in spectroscopy, imaging and micromachining due to their ability to deliver diffraction limited, ultra-short, high-energy pulses from a robust package.

The design of the Heriot-Watt OPO system is such that it offers the benefits of higher pulse energy

(up to 103 nJ/ pulse, wavelength tuneable in the near-IR) combined with a repetition rate ranging from pulses on demand up to 20 MHz.

In addition to the OPO, a custom designed ultrafast pump source, provides high pulse energy (<500 nJ, λ= 1.04 µm) at a fixed repletion rate of 20 MHz.

OVERVIEW

Heriot-Watt University (Edinburgh, Scotland) has US and International patents pending for a high energy laser source in the femtosecond pulse range. Developed within Professor Derryck Reid’s group, the ultrafast OPO laser source is suitable for applications within micromachining, waveguide fabrication, THz generation, and bio-imaging techniques such as multi-photon, Raman or CARS spectroscopy.

Distinctly Ambitiouswww.hw.ac.uk

Robert GoodfellowTechnology Transfer ManagerHeriot-Watt University

t: +44 [0] 131 451 3616e: Technology-Licensing@hw.ac.uk

www.res.hw.ac.uk

Professor Derryck Reid(Principal Investigator)

www.ultrafast.hw.ac.uk

BENEFITS & APPLICATIONS:

• High pulse energy - between that of OPO & OPA systems

• Intermediate repetition rate – between that of OPO & OPA systems

• Tunable output wavelengths- visible to NIR

• Suited to multiphoton bio-imaging applications in microscopy

• Micromachining and waveguide writing in glass, crystal etc.

• Long range spectroscopy – explosives detection

• Broadband source – Laser ranging & security imaging

• High power THz wave generation

STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT

Proof of concept has been demonstrated on an optical bench (EPSRC Grant ref: EP/I005773/1), an OPO & pump laser prototype are currently in development.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY STATUS

2 pending patent filings US2010328761(A1) and WO2010136761(A1) with priority filing date of 25/5/2009 describe an optical

parametric oscillator (OPO) comprised of a resonant cavity for signal light; and an optically non-linear medium disposed in the resonant cavity for converting pump light into the signal light, wherein the resonant cavity is arranged so that in operation signal light is repeatedly output from and returned to the optically non-linear medium along a signal light path in a continuously repeating cycle; and the OPO comprises delay means for extending the time taken for signal light output from the optically non-linear medium in operation to return to the optically non-linear medium along the signal light path.

A white paper presented at CLEO 2009 titled “Yb:fiber laser pumped high-energy picosecond optical parameter oscillator” by T P Lamour outlines an early prototype.

In addition to the OPO system, the team has developed a compact laser source that is also available for license separately or as part of the technology package.

The OPO, laser source or technology package as a whole are available for licensing in all fields of use on an exclusive/ non-exclusive basis.

COMMERCIAL OPPORTUNITY

Heriot-Watt University seeks lasers systems developers and integrators who see utility in the applications of this laser technology package.

Partners should have an interest in either obtaining a licence to develop this technology or to act as industrial sponsors to collaborate and provide financial (or “in-kind”) support for technological developments in specific defined areas.

UK companies (or overseas companies with a UK presence) may be eligible for UK government or Scottish Development Agency financial support to develop this Heriot-Watt technology through an industry/ university knowledge transfer partnership: Knowledge Transfer Partnership Scheme or Scottish Enterprise.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: