The Active Fiber is an IPG Photonics’ quarterly newsletter featuring company news, product updates, and notable applications. To subscribe to the Active Fiber or for more information on products and processes, please contact sales.us@ipgphotonics.com.
We report the measurement of high-order harmonics from a ZnO crystal with photon energies up to 11 eV generated by a high-repetition-rate femtosecond Cr:ZnS laser operating in the mid-infrared at 2–3 μm, delivering few-cycle pulses with multi-watt average power and multi-megawatt peak power. High-focus intensity is achieved in a single pass through the crystal without a buildup cavity or nanostructued pattern for field enhancement. We measure in excess of 108 high-harmonic photons/second.
Giulio Vampa, Sergey Vasilyev, Hanzhe Liu, Mike Mirov, Philip H. Bucksbaum, and David A. Reis
We report a few-cycle, super-octave, polycrystalline Cr:ZnS laser system with 4 W power at 78 MHz repetition rate, where all of the necessary optical signals for the measurement of the carrier–envelope offset frequency are generated intrinsically.
Sergey Vasilyev, Igor Moskalev, Viktor Smolski, Jeremy Peppers, Mike Mirov, Vladimir Fedorov, Dmitry Martyshkin, Sergey Mirov, and Valentin Gapontsev
Femtosecond laser sources and optical frequency combs in the molecular fingerprint region of the electromagnetic spectrum are crucial for a plethora of applications in natural and life sciences. Here we introduce Cr:ZnS lasers as a convenient means for producing super-octave mid-IR electromagnetic transients via optical rectification (or intra-pulse difference frequency generation, IDFG). The results highlight the potential of this architecture for ultrafast spectroscopy and generation of broadband frequency combs in the longwave infrared.
Sergey Vasilyev, Igor S. Moskalev, Viktor O. Smolski, Jeremy M. Peppers, Mike Mirov, Andrey v. Muraviev, Kevin Zawilski, Peter G. Schunemann, Sergey B. Mirov, Konstantin L. Vodopyanov, and Valentin P. Gapontsev
January 2019, Optica
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Frontiers of Mid-IR Lasers Based on Transition Metal Doped Chalcogenides
TM ion doped II-VI semiconductors have been extensively studied since the 1960s by many research groups. However, the lasing of a Cr:ZnSe crystal was first reported in 1996 by scientists from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. In this publication, the authors formulated the major features that make these materials so attractive for middle infrared (MIR) laser applications.
Sergey B. Mirov, Member, IEEE, Igor S. Moskalev, Sergey Vasilyev, Viktor Smolski, Vladimir v. Fedorov, Dmitry Martyshkin, Jeremy Peppers, Mike Mirov, Alex Dergachev, and Valentin Gapontsev
September/October 2018, IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics
Thanks to the the advancement of fiber optic technology and the move towards automation, many more industries are adopting fiber lasers. IPG Photonics is leading the way by developing all technology in-house, making fiber lasers an economical solution for most applications.
Scientists from the Russian Academy of Sciences, Nizhniy Novgorod State University, NTO IRE-Polus and the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology have developed a ceramic-based laser that cuts tissue with minimal trauma and is at least two times less expensive than lasers using high-quality crystal-grown lasing materials.
IPG Photonics recently developed an innovative fiber optics-based GLPN-500-R laser, which combination of single-mode beam quality, short wavelength, short pulse duration and higher power allow exploration of new applications. A year after the Prism Award win, IPG has continued to enhance the laser architecture and optimize its components, resulting in a significant reduction in form factor.
More than 20 nuclear sites in the UK will need to be decommissioned by 2030 and this has prompted engineers to find novel techniques to help such sites safely end their working lives.
Fiber Laser machines produce large tubes in a single, completely automatic cycle with an accuracy and repeatability that cannot be matched by the old manual processes.
Although today's high-power CW fiber lasers have their origins in telecom technology, they have long since left that arena and become naturals at reliable, capable materials processing.
Fiber lasers producing different spot sizes, pulse durations, or wavelengths can be combined into a single process for applications such as brazing, welding, and surface texturing.
February 2016, Laser Focus World
Toby Strite, Andreas Gusenko, Michael Grupp, and Tony Hoult
ILS editorial advisor Dr. Kunihiko Washio, on a lab tour at the NADEX Laser R & D Center (Tsuruga, Japan), witnessed the following experiment with a 100kW fiber laser welding SUS 304 stainless steel at 100kW (1mm-diameter spot size)...
Resistance Spot-Welding Gun Meets Fiber Laser The high-volume production environment in the automotive industry is one where resistance spot welding and laser remote welding are well-established technologies.
January 2014, Industrial Photonics Klaus Krastel, IPG Laser GmbH
Fiber Lasers Poised to Impact Aerospace Component Drilling Lamp-pumped Nd:YAG lasers have been the work horse and have dominated the aerospace drilling market for decades, but the fiber laser is now under strong consideration by the aerospace industry for implementation on production lines.
August 13 2013, Laser Focus World Bill Shiner, IPG Photonics
Fiber Laser Process Targets Medical Plastics Welding A powerful laser technology originally developed for the telecommunications industry is now targeting plastic welding, and has significant implications for medical markets because it eliminates use of dyes and other additive extractables.
Mid-infrared laser wavelengths open up new processes.
May 2012, Industrial Laser Solutions Tony Hoult
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"Smart Additives" Enhance Plastics Laser Marking The newest generation of laser marking “smart additives” incorporated into polymers is a quantum leap in technology, which is both enabling and cost-saving.
February 2012, Industrial Laser Solutions Scott Sabreen
Lasers save time, increase productivity and introduce new technology, with resultant major impact on company bottom line and long term market position.
January 2012, Laser Focus World Stan Wilford
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Fiber-laser Technology Grows More Diverse Fiber lasers offer benefits such as long lifetimes, low complexity, reduced running costs, and low maintenance, which can now be found in a variety of fiber-based products with power levels matching the needs of applications previously served by CO2 lasers.
October 2011, Engineering Subcontractor Steve Williams, Salvagini Group
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Preventing Wear and Tear Stephen Mounsey looks at the many uses of laser classing, particularly in power and energy generation applications and oil drilling.
Autumn 2011, Laser Systems Europe Stephen Mounsey
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Driving Vehicle Production Greg Blackman explores the increasing demand for lasers in the automobile manufacturing industry.