Fiber lasers for LIDAR: improvements in the technology

LIDAR is a method of surveillance method that measures the distance to a target by illuminating that target with a pulsed laser light and measuring the reflected pulses with a sensor. The received laser light is used to construct a 3D-representation of the target. The main applications of LIDAR are a construction of high-resolution maps, laser guidance, airborne laser swath mapping, laser altimetry, etc.
LIDAR systems that are used for scientific applications need to be eye safe, therefore 600–1000 nm lasers cannot be used for LIDAR as these lasers can be focused and easily absorbed by the eye, which causes limitations in the possible powers used. A common alternative are 1550 nm lasers, like 1550 nm fiber lasers. The latter type is eye-safe at much higher power levels since this wavelength is not focused by the eye. 1550 nm fiber lasers are typically used for military operations and provide accurate images over long distances. Another advantage of 1550 nm fiber lasers is their invisibility for night vision goggles unlike 1000 nm infrared lasers.
LIDAR technology can be used not only in military or mapping but for air- and space-based wind measurements. Measurements of the wind intensity are essential for airport safety and pollution monitoring. When LIDAR is used for its regular applications, it works by the time between the firing of a laser pulse and the sensing of its reflection from the landscape or target. In wind speed measurement, the laser interacts with molecules such as aerosols in the atmosphere. The Doppler shift in the signal which is caused by the molecule movement is then converted to wind velocity. After performing multiple measurements a full 3D vector field is constructed which is then used to assess wind velocity, shear, and turbulence.
Despite LIDAR being a precise measuring technique, the system, in most cases, can not be effectively used in harsh conditions such as strong wind. Another problem is the use of conventional avalanche photodiodes for detection of the signal; the downfall of these is low resolution and high noise that undermines its use in sensitive data streams.
In order to improve the LIDAR system for wind velocity measurement, fiber optic elements may be used to simplify the system which reduces its vulnerability to lots of variables, such as angle of incidence, instrument alignment, temperature gradients and pressure fluctuations.
Optromix is a fiber laser vendor; we manufacture lasers using our own technologies based on the advanced research work and patents of international R&D team.Laser processes are high quality, high precision, easily-automated manufacturing solutions that provide repeatability and flexibility. The lasers that we manufacture can be used for a variety of applications, including LIDAR systems.
If you are interested in 1550 nm fiber laser, please contact us at info@optromix.com

Signal frequency fiber lasers for gravitational wave detectors

Single frequency laser sources are required for further development of gravitational wave detectors. There is a number of requirements that single frequency lasers need to meet in order to be used in gravitational wave detection applications. For example, the lasers need to have a wavelength of 1μm, an output power of several hundred watts, and a spectral linewidth in the kilohertz (kHz) range. One of the main challenges, however, is the development of high power output of single frequency fiber lasers. The existing lasers are often limited to the 1W output power, which is considered to be low output power and is not enough for gravitational wave detection. The limitation in output power is caused by thermal and mechanical problems.
Numerous laser types have been used for the detection of gravitational waves. One of them is a high-power solid-state injection-locked solid-state oscillator that is currently used for gravitational wave detection. The development of high-brightness diode lasers has paved the way for high power single frequency fiber lasers. In order to make the laser output power higher, specialized fiber-based master oscillator power amplifiers are used. With the use of amplifiers, the power levels in the range of 500W are achieved, along with a spectral linewidth of up to 1MHz.
The problem with the fiber lasers used for gravitational wave applications is low beam quality, like transversal mode instabilities, and the lack of suitable fiber components. These problems inhibit the development of reliable single frequency fiber laser systems with high output powers at the level of several hundred watts. The highest fiber laser output power achieved in a laboratory setting is around 200-300W. The most promising fiber lasers for gravitational wave detection applications are ytterbium-doped fiber lasers and amplifiers.
Single frequency fiber laser market is rapidly expanding and evolving; fiber laser technology has become more complex and sophisticated. The fiber laser systems available at the moment are used in various applications, like laser welding and cutting.
Optromix is a fiber laser vendor that offers innovative laser products with great customizing abilities. We provide a range of single frequency fiber lasers; for further details, please contact us at info@optromix.com or +1 617 558 9858

Perspectives of solar sails powered by single frequency fiber lasers

A solar sail, also known as light sail or photon sail, is a form of spacecraft propulsion using radiation pressure exerted by sunlight on large mirrors. The sail experiences a force exerted by light that can be compared to a sail being blown by the wind. High-energy laser beams have a potential to be used as an alternative light source for the solar sail. High power lasers are expected to exert much greater force than would be possible using sunlight; this concept is often referred to as ‘beam sailing’.
The concept of using laser beams to exert a force on the solar sail mirrors in its main concepts closely relates to beam-powered propulsion. The beam used in beam-powered propulsion systems can be either pulsed or continuous. Typically, a continuous beam lends itself to thermal rockets, photonic thrusters and solar sails. Since lasers can heat propellants to very high temperatures, this improves the efficiency of a rocket as exhaust velocity is proportional to the square root of the temperature. Applications of laser propulsion for quick terrestrial travel have also been proposed.
Laser beams have a potential to be used directly to ‘push’ the solar sail. A concept of a laser-pushed solar sail has been proposed; this method would help to avoid extremely high mass ratios. There are certain requirements that lasers have to meet in order to be used for laser-pushed solar sailing. The laser beam diameter has to be large so that only a small portion of the beam misses the sail; this would happen due to diffraction. The pointing stability of the laser has to be good enough to allow for a fast tilt of the aircraft in order to follow the center of the beam, which is particularly important for interstellar travel.
It is expected that a single frequency lasers, including single frequency fiber lasers, would be a good approximation to perfectly coherent light. Single mode lasers are predicted to be one of the best solutions for solar sail laser propulsion.
In the time of innovation and rapid technological development, it is important for scientists and engineers to obtain the highest quality technological solutions available on the market. Fiber laser systems are proved to be superior to most other laser types, therefore they are often used at the forefront of the innovations, including space technology. Single frequency fiber lasers provide new opportunities for the development of state-of-the-art technologies for space travel.
Optromix is a single frequency fiber laser vendor; we design and manufacture a broad variety of lasers, like Erbium lasers and DUV lasers, however, we specialize in the design of single frequency fiber lasers. We manufacture lasers using our own technologies based on the advanced research work and patents of international R&D team.Laser processes are high quality, high precision, easily-automated manufacturing solutions that provide repeatability and flexibility. We prioritize the needs of our clients and we are always dedicated to creating unique and innovative technologies.

Fiber lasers for production applications

The use of fiber laser systems for production applications is growing as on price per watt, beam quality, and electrical consumption fiber lasers provide the highest performance and lowest costs. The applications of fiber laser systems are constantly expanding – from traditional cutting and welding to more advanced 3D printing and surface texturing.
Laser technology is widely used in cutting, drilling, welding, drilling, etc. Fiber lasers provide high power and accuracy to these applications while maintaining low maintenance costs. Most fiber laser manufacturers provide a wide range of products that are designed according to the needs of a specific area of fiber laser applications. The ability to manufacture custom fiber laser systems is crucial for some applications that require very specific laser power, wavelength, etc.
Another emerging application of fiber laser systems is surface texturing – the process of increasing the grip of an item’s surface grip qualities with the use of a fiber laser. Surface texturing is mainly used to create medical tools that pick up less fluid and debris. It is especially important to mark implants for tracking and add textures that aid in implant acceptance. Femtosecond fiber lasers provide numerous advantages to this application and are becoming increasingly more popular for surface texturing of medical devices as fiber lasers are able to cut more intricate patterns with sharp edges.
The 3D printing industry has had a significant impact on the laser market as lasers are used as a primary heat source in the process. Lasers may be used to build up a component layer by layer in laser metal fusion. Recent developments in the laser industry have allowed for a laser metal deposition which provides the ability to add volume and structures to existing parts.
Optromix Inc., headquartered in Cambridge, MA, USA, is a manufacturer of laser technologies, optical fiber sensors, and optical monitoring systems.
We develop and manufacture a broad variety of Fiber lasers, СО 2 lasers, Ti: Sapphire lasers, Dye lasers, and Excimer Lasers. We offer simple Erbium laser and Ytterbium laser products, as well as sophisticated laser systems with unique characteristics, based on the client’s inquiry.
We manufacture lasers using our own technologies based on the advanced research work and patents of international R&D team. Laser processes are high quality, high precision, easily-automated manufacturing solutions that provide repeatability and flexibility.

Narrow bandwidth fiber lasers

Laser linewidth is the spectral linewidth of a laser beam. More precisely, it is the width of the power spectral density of the emitted electric field in terms of frequency, wavenumber or wavelength. The laser linewidth is related to its temporal coherence that is characterized by the coherence time or coherence length. Single frequency lasers are most often described as narrow bandwidth lasers because single frequency lasers oscillate on a single resonator mode with low phase noise resulting in low phase noise.
In order to achieve a narrow emission bandwidth from a laser, several issues need to be resolved. First of all, as mentioned above, single-frequency operation needs to be achieved. The main goal is to avoid mode hopping. Secondly, external noise levels must be minimized, therefore a stable resonator setup with protection against mechanical vibrations is required. Fiber lasers should have a pump source with low-intensity noise; moreover, any optical feedback should also be avoided. Ideally, the external noise will become lower than internal noise. Lastly, the laser should be designed with a narrow bandwidth in mind. The design of the narrow bandwidth laser should be optimized so that the laser noise and phase noise are minimized.
The problem of noise characterization and specification arises during the production of narrow bandwidth lasers. This issue is particularly prominent for linewidth values of a few kilohertz or less. There are a number of measurement techniques for noise specification available for laser manufacturers and researchers.
Narrow bandwidth lasers, including narrow bandwidth fiber lasers, are required for numerous different applications. One of the fields of application is the area of sensors. Fiber-optic sensors, like FBG strain sensors, FBG temperature sensors, LIDAR, wind speed measurements, etc. require narrow bandwidth lasers. Another area of application is optical frequency metrology. It requires very narrow bandwidth that is frequently achieved with stabilizers. Optical fiber communicators also demand narrow bandwidth lasers, however, the requirements are usually less demanding.
Optromix manufactures laser systems of outstanding quality and reliability. We are always happy to configure your laser according to your unique needs.
If you would like to buy narrow bandwidth fiber lasers, please contact us at: info@optromix.com or +1 617 558 9858

Fiber laser systems in photomask repair

Fiber laser systems in photomask repairA photomask is an opaque plate with holes and transparent areas that allow light to go through the plate in a specific pattern. Photomasks are widely used in photolithography for the production of integrated circuits, photonic devices, and micro-electro-mechanical systems. Usually, a photomask consists of fused silica or glass substrate that is coated with an opaque film, into which a replica of the device design pattern is etched. A binary pattern that replicated an original design of the device constitutes the photomask image. This image is used to direct light in a particular pattern in order to ‘print’ the design on the silicon wafer or another substrate.
While the photomasks are becoming smaller and smaller, the threshold for potential photomask flaws and defects is decreasing. The control of pattern defects is the most critical issue of the production of high-end photomasks. The repairs may include carbon patch trimming, sequential defect removal, etc. The leading method of photomask repair has become micromachining as it is an extremely accurate method of subtractive removal of opaque mask defects. Micromachining utilizes the atomic force microscopy technology.
Micromachining has several advantages, some of which include the ability to machine in tight geometries, high image resolution, the ability to develop custom repair processes, etc.
Optromix – a fiber laser vendor – has developed a custom fiber laser for photomask repair applications. The laser that is used in photomask repair is a fiber DUV laser that replaces an argon-ion laser. Fiber DUV laser provides several advantages over other types of lasers. For instance, fiber DUV laser does not require a cooler, whereas an argon-ion laser requires a constant supply of running water to cool down. Another advantage is a higher power output which improves the efficiency of photomask repair. Overall, fiber laser photomask repair has improved significantly through the use of fiber DUV laser provided by Optromix.
The importance of photomasks and their repair is hard to overestimate. Photomasks are essential in the production of most modern electronics. The photomask repair and upkeep is equally as important as it helps to improve the quality of production.
Optromix Inc., headquartered in Cambridge, MA, USA, is a manufacturer of laser technologies, optical fiber sensors, and optical monitoring systems. We manufacture lasers using our own technologies based on the advanced research work and patents of international R&D team. Laser processes are high quality, high precision, easily-automated manufacturing solutions that provide repeatability and flexibility. If you have any questions about fiber DUV lasers please contact us at info@optromix.com

Nanosecond, picosecond, femtosecond fiber lasers in micromachining

The goal of micromachining is to achieve high-quality results in the shortest time possible and in the most economical way. Laser machining can achieve all of these goals — it can achieve localized, high-quality, precise machining. However, the right choice of laser is crucial to achieving high-yield, economical process.
Laser micromachining is heavily used in mobile devices, where the demand to make smaller, lighter, lower-cost mobile devices has required laser processes that can meet this challenge. Other areas of application include medical device manufacturing,  clean energy, automotive, and aerospace.
One of the most important factors that affect the machining results is laser pulse width. It affects the precision, quality, and economics of the process. The most used fiber laser types that are used in micromachining are femtosecond fiber lasers, picosecond fiber lasers, and nanosecond fiber lasers.
Nanosecond fiber lasers result in higher throughput due to a higher rate of material removal when compared to picosecond fiber lasers and femtosecond fiber lasers, because most of the material removal takes place by melting. After being heated to its melting temperature, the material evaporates. The precision of nanosecond fiber lasers may suffer due to the melted material clinging to the edges of the machined feature and its solidification. In addition, some of the melted material often splashes around the machined feature which creates poor quality of machining.
The use of picosecond fiber lasers improves molten material splashing around the laser-machined edges and molten material buildup. Moreover, the material removal threshold is much lower for picosecond fiber lasers. However, cutting and drilling processes are executed at a much higher fluence that the material removal threshold and nanosecond fiber lasers provide higher throughput that picosecond lasers.
The choice between femtosecond and picosecond lasers depends on the material used, quality requirements, and economic considerations. Generally, femtosecond fiber lasers provide higher quality micro machining, but the higher costs of femtosecond lasers is a serious consideration. Both femtosecond and picosecond lasers provide high peak power and lower material removal.
Overall, the choice of the right fiber laser wavelength depends on the materials to be processed, the desired quality, and cost requirements. Generally, nanosecond lasers offer an economical, higher-throughput solution, whereas picosecond and femtosecond lasers provide high-quality machining of thin, transparent materials.
Optromix Inc., headquartered in Cambridge, MA, USA, is a manufacturer of laser technologies, optical fiber sensors, and optical monitoring systems. We manufacture lasers using our own technologies based on the advanced research work and patents of international R&D team.Laser processes are high quality, high precision, easily-automated manufacturing solutions that provide repeatability and flexibility. If you have any questions about femtosecond and picosecond fiber lasers please contact us at info@optromix.com

High beam quality fiber lasers in laser beam welding

Laser beam welding is a technique of material welding through the use of a laser beam. Laser beams provide a concentrated source of heat that allows for narrow welds and high welding rates. Laser beam welding is frequently used in high volume applications that are automated, i.e. in the automotive industry.
The high power density of laser beam welding results in small areas being affected by heat, which in turn leads to high heating and cooling rates. The laser spot size varies between 0.2 mm and 13 mm, however large spot size lasers are not typically used in welding. The depth of penetration is dependant on the amount of power supplied. Picosecond lasers and femtosecond lasers are used to weld thin materials, like razors, whereas continuous wave lasers are used in deep welding.
Laser welding is a versatile process that is capable of welding many different metals, including carbon steels, stainless steel, aluminum. The main advantages of laser beam welding are 1) transmission of the laser beam through air rather than requiring vacuum; 2) the process is widely automated; 3) the welds are high quality.
High beam quality is an important factor in laser beam welding. High beam quality can be defined as a measure of how tightly a beam of a laser can be focused. The ability to tightly focus a laser beam allows for a more precise weld that is required when working with small objects and tight seams between the metals. The use of high beam quality lasers in laser beam welding provides an opportunity for a large working distance. This can be highly desirable in order to protect the optics against debris and fumes.
High beam quality fiber lasers are most often based on single-mode fibers. Among other laser types that have high beam quality are gas lasers, like CO2 lasers. High beam quality fiber lasers are increasingly being used for robotic industrial welding due to the many advantages that they provide.
The high optical quality of high beam quality fiber lasers is a result of the fiber’s waveguiding properties. They reduce thermal distortion of the optical path, resulting in a production of a diffraction-limited optical beam. High beam quality fiber lasers also are able to have high output power – they can support kilowatt levels of continuous output power.
Optromix Company priority is to deliver the highest quality laser systems to our clients; we manufacture unique lasers for your specific needs. If you would like to buy high beam quality lasers, please contact us at info@optromix.com or +1 617 558 98 58.

Low RIN lasers for far-reaching optical sensing

The optical sensing systems based on fiber laser technology are important tools for various fields of applications, like oil and gas exploitation, pipeline monitoring, wind detection, and perimeter security. The advantages that these systems provide make them highly desirable: the systems are passive, lightweight and small in size, reliable, provide an ability to be multiplexed in order to interrogate large sensor arrays.
In optical sensing systems, the optical fiber acts as a long sensor that is sensitive to the acoustic perturbations. The light traveling through the fiber changes its path due to the change in the optical path length in the fiber. After the interrogation by coherent laser light and recombination with reference light from the fiber laser source, an acoustic “fingerprint” is produced.
The fingerprint provides information about an event that took place somewhere along the fiber. To reduce the irrelevant noise that may be caused by rain droplets and aircrafts, sophisticated algorithms are used; such practice is often used in perimeter monitoring. The optical sensing systems based on fiber laser technology is crucial to pipeline integrity monitoring, as pipelines are also potential targets to intrusion. Therefore, the demand for fiber laser systems is increasing, and a need for low RIN lasers has emerged.
Low RIN lasers tend to be compact, efficient, reliable under most environmental conditions, and easy to use. The main advantages of low RIN lasers include low phase noise and narrow spectral linewidth. One of the important requirements that are expected from low RIN lasers is an ability to be interrogated over long distances. Low phase noise ensures the high sensitivity of optic systems. In general, single frequency fiber lasers have low RIN.
The low RIN lasers are required in various fields, including:
1) subsea systems;
Low RIN lasers are used in the location of oil and gas below the sea level via interrogation of fiber optic hydrophone arrays. The low RIN lasers are key to obtaining clear images and solid data.
2) wind LIDAR;
Lasers with low relative intensity noise are needed for the detection of weak backscatter from particles carried by the wind.
3) satellite missions;
Various measuring equipment mounted on satellites utilize low RIN lasers.
Optromix is a fiber laser vendor. We manufacture lasers using our own technologies based on the advanced research work and patents of international R&D team.Laser processes are high quality, high precision, easily-automated manufacturing solutions that provide repeatability and flexibility. If you have any questions, please contact us at info@optromix.com

Low noise fiber lasers

All laser outputs always contain some amount of noise due to the influence of quantum noise and several technical fluctuations. Quantum noise is typically associated with spontaneous emissions in the gain medium. Technical fluctuations include temperature fluctuations, laser resonator vibrations, excess noise of the pump source, etc.
Different types of lasers may suffer from different types of laser noise. For example, in single frequency lasers, there are intensity noise and phase noise, which causes limited laser linewidth and temporal coherence. In lasers with multiple resonator modes mode beating noise and mode partition noise are most prevalent. Mode-locked lasers exhibit timing jitter (noise in the temporal position of the pulses), pulse duration, chirp, center frequency noise. Supermode noise is exhibited in harmonic mode locked lasers. Moreover, any laser may exhibit beam pointing fluctuation
Many different fields of laser applications require low noise lasers, mainly for the performance of high-precision operations. These fields include high precision optical measurements that are relevant for frequency metrology, spectroscopy, and interferometry. Low noise fiber lasers are required for optical fiber communications as the data transmission rates are amplified by low noise lasers and limited by high noise of lasers and amplifiers. Precise laser material cutting is reliant on a low noise output of a laser as it minimizes beam pointing fluctuations and pulse energy variations.
Low noise fiber lasers enable optical fiber interrogation over several kilometers with high sensitivity and accuracy. This and many more advantages of fiber lasers has led them to be used in multiple areas of applications. Low noise fiber lasers are used for interrogation of large fiber optic hydrophone arrays which help to locate oil deposits below the seafloor. The low noise output of fiber lasers is a key feature of geoseismic and subsea systems.
The development of low noise fiber lasers is led by the needs of LIDAR systems that require very low relative intensity noise to detect weak aerosol backscatter. In the future wind LIDAR systems may be used to accurately predict the energy yield of wind farms. This information is now gathered by expensive and complicated anemometry masts, however, they have many limitations. The use of low noise fiber lasers may aid in wind condition predictions that will ultimately result in an optimized performance of wind farms.
Optromix is a fiber optic laser manufacturer. We manufacture lasers using our own technologies based on the advanced research work and patents of international R&D team. Laser processes are high quality, high precision, easily-automated manufacturing solutions that provide repeatability and flexibility. If you have any questions or would like to purchase a low noise fiber laser, please contact us at info@optromix.com