Month: September 2025

Fiber lasers demonstrate efficient detection of cancerous cells

Novel fiber laser systems for cancer detection

Novel fiber laser systems have been developed by an international team of researchers to provide efficient detection of cancerous cells during the surgical process. The fiber laser is a part of a compact multimodal imaging system that enables testing tissue samples directly during surgery.

Combining imaging techniques in one system

Usually, microscopes based on fiber laser technology apply only one imaging technique (confocal microscopy, multiphoton microscopy, or Anti-Stokes Raman Spectroscopy). Nevertheless, their combination in a single fiber laser system provides faster and robust information about tissues and possible diseases.
Even though these techniques can lead to making excitation laser systems complex, large, and expensive, this research is very promising. The team plans to produce a fiber laser that emits several excitation wavelengths and various laser beam pulse durations. This fiber laser technology allows combining several techniques in one compact device.

Precise detection of tumor margins

The fiber laser system helps to test tissue samples directly after surgery or even during it, resulting in more precise detection of tumor margins. “Combining three methods allows superimposing several levels of information and thus obtaining a more precise picture of the cells.”
These fiber lasers provide a simpler way to distinguish cancerous cells from healthy ones. Now, researchers are developing an ultrashort laser beam pulse source for the new laser system. This source will synchronously pump two optical parametric oscillators.
It is planned that the fiber laser system will emit several laser beam outputs with tunable wavelengths. These laser beam pulses are generated in both the femtosecond and picosecond range. The fiber laser technology is considered to be very promising for the three imaging techniques in a multimodal system.

Advantages and future applications

It is required to produce a quick electronic system to monitor the fiber laser in the multimodal system. The laser system will operate with the microscope’s scanner technology. A benefit of a novel fiber laser system as favorable thermal properties remove the need for additional air-cooling.
Advantages of fiber laser technology make the imaging system less expensive, more energy-efficient, and smaller than traditional microscopes with titanium-sapphire laser systems. The potential applications of novel fiber laser systems include the detection of drugs and nanoparticles in tissues and cells, or the testing of cosmetic products.

The latest version of femtosecond laser systems

Applications of femtosecond laser systems

Modern fiber laser technology allows for detecting a chemical transformation inside a cell live. Additionally, it promotes the production of microchips by printing paths in a thin layer. The latest femtosecond laser system makes all these developments real to achieve.

Distinction of laser beam sources

Numerous laser beam sources are distinguished. Different laser systems have their own characteristics and fields of application. The novel fiber laser system emits ultrashort laser beam pulses, femtosecond ones. “This is the scale on which, for example, intracellular chemical reactions take place.”

Detection and material processing

These reactions can be identified by capturing an image using the new laser technology. The femtosecond laser beam source enables very accurate removal of materials from different surfaces without damaging them. The scientists claim that this fiber laser is too accurate.

Comparison with conventional fiber lasers

Certain applications require nanosecond laser beam pulses (they last longer). Conventional fiber lasers can’t draw paths of accurately planned depths in ultra-thin materials, compared to novel laser systems. Strong laser beam energy located in a small area leads to melting the materials.

The novel fiber laser system operates firmly and gently. It is prone to mechanical disruption since the laser system is compact and portable. Fiber lasers have significantly helped the team to develop the system. The operating principle of fiber laser systems is based on an optical fiber enclosed in a ring.

Pulse propagation and frequency control

The laser beam pulse passes inside the fiber without any mechanical disturbances. It is possible to touch, move, and shake the optical fiber not influencing the stability of the fiber laser. Also, this laser system offers a particular frequency at the output that makes the laser unique.
Standard laser systems use laser beam frequencies that are dependent on the length of the fiber optic loop in which the pulse passes. The solution is to reduce the circumference of the ring. Thus, scientists can control, change, and even duplicate the basic laser beam frequency.

Fiber lasers and robots for minimally invasive surgery

Challenges of traditional surgical tools

A team of engineers from the U.S. has created a microrobot that allows for directing a laser system within the body to perform minimally invasive surgery. Traditional energy-delivering tools are very complex compared to the new fiber laser. It is necessary to put them close to the target site, resulting in limitations of accuracy.

Risks of conventional laser systems

Additionally, such laser systems can lead to unwanted burns in adjacent tissues and a smoky appearance. Even though fiber laser systems are regarded as very promising solutions, they are required to meet additional requirements. The direct application of current fiber lasers for minimally invasive surgery is limited by the following factors:

the size of surgical systems;
levels of accuracy;
repositioning, steering, and manipulation.

Integration of fiber lasers with microrobots

The novel fiber laser system combined with the microrobotic end-effector can be widely applied in traditional endoscopic systems for application in minimally invasive surgery. The microrobot has a size of 6×16 mm, and it provides high speed and accuracy, and can operate with current endoscopic devices.

Benefits of the new system

The team members claim that their fiber laser technology promotes accurate direction of laser beams at small target sites in complex patterns to advance minimally invasive surgery by laser systems inside the body. Such benefits as “a large range of articulation, minimal footprint, and fast and precise action” make novel fiber laser systems very promising to increase surgical capabilities in a plug-and-play fashion.

Operating principle and design

A surgical fiber laser has to be both the diameter of a drinking straw and relatively nimble. The operating principle of the microrobotic laser system is based on the three compact mirrors that rapidly rotate to direct and redirect the laser beam in a compact surgical system.

Microfabrication and efficiency

The microfabrication technique is used to make the system smaller. This fiber laser technology offers a highly efficient fabrication process. The fiber laser has already been tested and demonstrated the high efficiency of microrobots in creating and following complex directions.

Surgical performance and outcomes

Numerous laser beam ablations can be carried out at a fast speed over a large range and with a high level of precision. The team showed efficient performance of the fiber laser system by integrating it at the end of an endoscope. This non-disruptive solution enables the team to increase the opportunities of minimally invasive surgeries in the human body with life-altering or potentially life-saving impact.

Fiber lasers for geothermal drilling

Application of fiber lasers in geothermal drilling

A high-power fiber laser has been successfully tested in field trials to weaken hard rocks to increase efficiency and reduce the cost of geothermal drilling. The fiber laser technology promotes a process applied to access geothermal heat, a clean and sustainable energy source.

Challenges in deep-earth drilling

When drilling deep into the earth’s crust, the drill bit’s temperature rises by approximately three degrees Celsius for every 100 meters, and upon striking hard rock, the drill bit experiences more rapid wear, leading to a reduction in its penetration speed.

Costs and research motivation

The cost of this process is high and often prevents investors from continuing with deep geothermal projects. Therefore, a group of researchers from Germany developed a method for mechanical drilling of hard rocks employing a laser system.

Design and operation of the fiber laser system

This fiber laser system can not only increase the penetration rate in geothermal drilling but also help to maintain the cutting edge of the drill bit by loosening and even breaking the rock just before drilling begins.

Technical specifications

The researchers have developed this laser system by initially installing a test unit with a ytterbium-based fiber laser with an output power of up to 30 kilowatts, which they then used to successfully loosen sandstone, granite, and quartzite. All these materials are solid rocks with a strength of more than 150 megapascals, up to 80 percent.

Laser guidance and safety

A jet of water is used to direct the laser beam to the rock surface – similar to how an optical fiber can direct a laser system— which also prevents contamination and damage to sensitive fiber laser optics and makes it easier to remove rock fragments with a drilling tool.

Field testing and future improvements

Then the engineers use a fiber laser system on the rig in a specially designed drill string and test the new tool in real-world conditions in field tests, which also proved successful. In future projects, the researchers plan to further improve the laser beam power distribution and add digital sensors to the hybrid tool to get feedback from the drilling process and thus be able to respond to material changes on the drilling path.

Advantages and potential impact

The flexible adjustment of the laser beam output power is one of the factors that make it a particularly effective tool for facilitating drilling processes. According to the researchers, the developed powerful fiber laser system will help reduce the cost of deep geothermal drilling in the future and simplify the use of geothermal energy as an inexhaustible source of energy-supporting other renewable sources such as sunlight, wind, and water.

New multimode laser named OR-PAM

Introduction to OR-PAM and hybrid imaging

Scientists from Hong Kong have developed a new hybrid imaging technique that is called optical-resolution photoacoustic microscopy (OR-PAM). The system is based on a fiber laser with a highly concentrated laser beam. It consists of five wavelengths, which makes it highly effective in studies, and it can be employed in several fields.

Applications and functionality of OR-PAM

The OR-PAM can be applied mostly for multi-contrast functional imaging.

Development challenges

During the development, the research team faced certain restrictions, like the limited laser beam wavelength of most fiber lasers and the limitations of the scanning methods. To get better results, the scientists created a multimode laser based on a single-fiber wavelength nanosecond laser module source. It takes sub-microseconds to switch between different wavelengths that make multifunctional OR-PAM simultaneous.

Principle of operation

The whole fiber laser system is created based on the stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) effect. A fiber laser applies a laser beam with a longer wavelength than the usual one. The generated SRS wavelength remains at high rates when the energy of the laser beam source goes beyond the threshold. Photoacoustic imaging uses the fact that when a surface or tissue is illuminated by a laser beam, it absorbs the light and produces heat. The heat causes thermal expansion, which generates a photoacoustic (PA) wave or a mechanical ultrasonic wave. After that, the scientists can get an image that demonstrates the light absorption distribution.

Advantages of fiber laser-based OR-PAM

Medical applications

This invention, based on fiber laser technology, can be an enormous boon for medicine because it can make a multiparameter image for accounting for physiological parameters in vessels, like the diameter, depth, and more. That would help to make a disease model for research or treatment. With the help of this five-wavelength OR-PAM, the scientists could also get imaging of tumor development, lymphatic clearance, and brain imaging.

Subcellular measurements

This new system, based on the fiber laser, can also show the subcellular measures like hemoglobin concentration, blood flow speed, blood oxygen saturation, and lymphatic concentration. It allows the scientists to study disease models, for instance, cancer, and find new ways of treatments for it.

Challenges in developing multifunctional OR-PAM

The research team met two main problems while developing multifunctional OR-PAM. The first problem is that the microenvironment of blood vessels changes with time, so long-term scanning with a multimodal laser can cause some inaccuracy. The other problem is the asynchrony among the different laser sources, which may cause systematic errors in calculation. For this reason, they developed a multimode laser comprising five fiber lasers. This new system can produce multifunctional imaging with a single multimodal laser and in a single scan. It shortens the time for making an image and improves its accuracy.

Fiber lasers for sensing as a part of a measurement

Introduction to fiber lasers in measurement

Specialists have developed new measurement solutions for highly effective manufacturing processes. Their whole design is based on the range of fiber lasers for sensing. The latest fiber laser design of a measuring mechanism allows gauging the inner geometric parameters of the cylindrical steel bands. That function is commonly used in the tire industry for non-contact measurement of steel band rims. This construction can be easily installed on the conveyor for more effective work.

3D modeling with fiber laser systems

The other function of this machine is that it can be used for creating 3D models with the help of fiber laser systems. The mechanism consists of a two-axis motion system that rotates fiber lasers for sensing. It creates a radial 3D scanning frame inside the steel belt. The laser beam allows getting the data about the measured parameters like height, diameter, roundness, chamber width, angle, etc.

Hardware and software integration

The mechanical hardware contains the mounting frame, housing with interfacing connectors, and the fieldbus. Fiber lasers for sensing connect a fiber laser module with the probe software and as well as with the PLC.

Data processing and output

The probe software and the fiber laser module are unified to provide all necessary data. The data can be used to display the graphical information about a measured component. Moreover, it provides a file output that can be used in further analysis. The system is suitable for both vertical and horizontal orientations, as the customer needs.

Advanced configurations and applications

The final developed construction also includes an option to integrate with other fiber laser systems. They are used as sub-systems for multiple measurements of different customers’ units, usually as part of manufacturing processes. The different specimens with fiber laser systems constitute fully machine-integrated systems, for instance, for welding lines and automated assembly, measuring length, diameter, thickness, and more. The systems allow manual operation with hand controls or mouse activation to record the results of measurement and display them in real size or as a model.

Fiber lasers promote quantum tech in a space environment

Role of fiber lasers in cold atom experiments

Atom experiments carried out by the International Space Station require many preparations; hence, integrated fiber laser systems are very important for this mission. Researchers plan to perform a cold atom experiment out of the laboratory and into microgravity. These plans require significant enhancements in these areas: laser systems, optics, and electronics. These fiber lasers must be small and withstand the environmental conditions of a satellite launch. Consequently, fiber laser systems are regarded as highly promising for space missions involving cold atom experiments.

German developments and partnerships

Laser systems used for cooling and trapping have been presented by German researchers. Their partners promote fiber laser integration, while others provide electronics and other laser modules. They use micro-integrated diode laser systems that are installed at the center for trapping and cooling atoms.

Diode-laser module specifications

Additionally, “a standard diode-laser module as developed at FBH delivers more than 1 W at 780 nm out of a 40 g module.” The fiber laser system has already been tested and demonstrated a long lifetime of 100,000 h mean-time-to-failure. The laser system can withstand extreme temperature changes ( -55° to 85°C).

Advancing microgravity experiments

These diode-laser modules promote the development of complex fiber lasers for various experiments in microgravity. Laser systems with an external cavity offer a high level of spectral purity and stability. This type of fiber laser is installed in a master-oscillator-power-amplifier.

Wavelength tuning and versatility

It is possible to tune different wavelengths of these laser modules. Thus, they are widely used in a series of missions. The success of the whole experiment depends on the design and production of reliable, compact, and complex fiber laser systems.

Implementation in small satellites

This experiment is very promising. It is necessary to install several fiber lasers, the required optics, and control electronics for a significantly complex system. Moreover, they can be applied in smaller satellites. Such an integrated laser system includes a rubidium vapor cell for cold atom experiments.
The combination of fiber laser systems with an optical frequency comb allows applying them in small and simple vapor-cell-based clocks. The application of complex fiber laser technology, as well as monochromatic systems, advances the step-wise qualification of cold-atom experiments for space flights.

A newly developed self-cooling fiber laser

Overview of the self-cooling fiber laser

The researchers from the UK produced a self-cooling fiber laser. This fiber laser is based on a silica fiber laser design. The scientists are going to create fiber laser-based devices that could achieve exceptional purity and frequency stability. That will allow avoiding the necessity of external cooling, for example, using a water-based cooling system. A self-cooling fiber laser with a silica fiber laser module can be applied for the development of progressive fiber laser systems. These fiber laser systems are useful for low-power, high-precision metrology and information transportation.

Mechanism of self-cooling

The cooling was successfully achieved when the researchers decreased the energy level of the light. The tests’ results demonstrate that the silica fiber laser module gets colder upon light excitation. The scientists also used anti-Stokes fluorescence to achieve cooling. This means the addition of a rare-earth ion to the fiber laser module. The ion absorbs the light from the laser beam and then produces it at a higher energy level. As a result, the fiber laser module temperature is getting lower. The process is a complicated task because of the ytterbium that is usually taken during the test. Ytterbium ions can take in impurity and release heat energy. This process is called “concentration quenching”. The researchers created a glass composition with the necessary quantity of ytterbium for the experiment to avoid this effect. The light frequency and its power were more stable because there were no changes in the temperature of the self-cooling of the fiber laser design. That helped to preserve the cooling effect.

Testing results and potential applications

The tests prove that the fiber laser system is capable of supporting high-power and large-scale laser applications in terms of increasing performance efficiency. There were also developed two additional silica fiber laser applications. The scientists intensified the laser beam at the same time, preserving the negative average temperature change.

Future improvements

According to the researchers who developed these constructions, there is still a lot to improve in the future. The extraction percentage, as well as the level of efficiency, is at a low level. That’s why this newly developed technology can’t be implemented and needs some time for adoption for high-power laser applications.

The growing potential of fiber lasers

Overview of fiber laser applications

Since the end of the last century, fiber lasers have been considered to be elements of different scientific directions, starting from the telecom market and ending with the medical procedure market. They are widely used in a variety of advanced and scientific laser applications.

Key features driving popularity

Different wavelength ranges, short pulse durations, nonreactivity to environmental conditions, small size, and other important factors of fiber laser designs play a crucial role in their popularity among the scientific and government communities. Fiber laser technology often solves problems that other modern technologies can not. Industrial fiber lasers are found in manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, transport, consumer devices, and other industries.

Evolution of fiber laser usage

From the very beginning, when the fiber lasers were implemented, they were in great demand for the processing of metals. Now they are applied for 3D printing, surface cleaning and modification, and many microprocessing methods of a great variety of materials.

Advantages of modern fiber laser modules

Fiber laser modules can provide higher output powers and laser beams of good quality. They encourage efficient energy consumption, resistance to vibration, and environmental conditions. That’s why it’s no wonder they make a fast return on investment.

Revolution in fiber laser technology

The first fiber lasers were mostly ineffective. But then new methods of delivering the pump light into the cladding were discovered. These methods allowed making fiber lasers more powerful and showing their true potential. It was a revolution in fiber laser systems, and the new era began. As a result of this revolution, fiber laser modules were adapted to mass production.

Future potential and reliability

Fiber lasers proved to be a reliable and powerful instrument for different applications. They are present in a wide range of different scientific spheres and directions. However, they still have a great development potential that continues to grow.

Laser modules in the financial card markets

New generation of laser modules

A new generation of laser modules has been developed for secure identity, payments, and data protection. These modules allow customers to implement advanced laser technology in both financial payment cards and government ID cards. Fiber laser technology is rapidly gaining popularity across financial and government card markets. This growth is driven by rising demands for stronger security and greater personalization. The design team combined years of experience with modern advancements in fiber laser technology, achieving more precise image quality and detailed engraving.

Role in security and image quality

Fiber laser technology plays a key role in meeting strict security and image quality requirements, as counterfeiters become increasingly sophisticated. Its precision makes fiber lasers an essential part of any security strategy, ensuring accuracy and durability in engraving.

Government applications

Modern fiber laser systems are widely used in government applications. They deliver sharp edges and clear images, support high-quality photos, text, barcodes, and various additional security features. These modules meet the security standards of most government agencies worldwide.

Flat and metal cards have led the financial card market to adopt new fiber laser technologies for durable graphics and engraving. The latest modules enhance personalization with modern fiber laser engraving systems. They feature a user-friendly interface that allows full customization and can engrave barcodes, text, and bitmap images on various materials.

Additional security features and technology

Fiber laser modules can also include advanced security features. They offer easy setup and control, multimodal laser integration, and built-in vision registration cameras. The camera aligns engraved and pre-printed elements precisely. Some modules include air-cooled fiber lasers — compact units that require no external cooling while maintaining strong performance.

Modern fiber laser designs have significantly improved in efficiency and versatility. These systems deliver reliable, energy-efficient performance, making them suitable for a wide range of applications and environments, even with limited budgets.