Laser light sources for science and industry

Any wavelength – from UV to MIR

OPOs are known for being widely tunable and for maintaining the same high level of performance across the entire wavelength range. This makes them the ideal light source for spectroscopic experiments and means they have been used for many years in diverse areas, such as molecular spectroscopy, photochemistry and trace gas analysis. Among other things, OPOs are used for spectroscopic applications in basic research or as wavelength-flexible light sources for interferometric lithography.

OPOs for continuous wave operation (cw-OPOs)

Fraunhofer IPM focuses on developing continuous-wave optical parametric oscillators (CW OPOs). Through skillful combination of specially developed optics, mechanics and electronics, light sources with high conversion efficiencies, mechanic stability and reliable performance are created. Depending on the requirements, the systems cover a spectral range from 350 nm to 5500 nm - i.e. VIS, NIR, MIR. Other wavelengths can also be provided on request.

An example is the »C-WAVE«, which was awarded the Photonics Prism Award 2014 and is distributed by the company Hübner. The C-WAVE provides wide spectral coverage in the visible wavelength range without the need for users to manually change components, making it a very attractive alternative to dye lasers.

SHG and SFG modules

Moreover, Fraunhofer IPM develops SHG and SFG modules with conversion efficiencies of over 50 percent for the UV, VIS, NIR and MIR range. Depending on the power range (milliwatt to many Watt), resonantly enhanced systems, non-resonant conversion or waveguide technologies are used. Our services range from feasibility studies, product development for manufacturers and pilot series production to individual devices for end customers.

As a new option, Fraunhofer IPM develops optical dual-frequency combs for gas analysis. Fiber-based components from the telecommunications sector are used to generate these dual-frequency combs in the NIR at 1550 nm wavelength. Due to the spectrometer's versatile design, the repetition rates of the combs can be freely selected between 250 and 500 MHz (0.008 – 0.016 cm^-1). Spectral coverage is variable from 200 to 700 GHz (6 – 23 cm^-1) with optical output powers up to 300 mW.

To cover a wide range of applications, the frequency combs generated in the NIR are converted to the MIR (3 to 5 µm) by nonlinear optical interactions, with output powers up to 2 mW. The spectral conversion range can be extended up to 10 µm with the help of additional nonlinear-optical materials.