Ultrafast Laser Oscillators: Femtosecond & Picosecond

Did You Know?

Did you know that an oscillator's pulse energy is set by just two numbers? Pulse energy = average power ÷ repetition rate. A 1 W oscillator at 80 MHz gives 12.5 nJ pulses, but the same 1 W at 1 GHz gives only 1 nJ. That's why GHz oscillators excel at frequency combs and low-noise metrology (more power per comb line), while 70–80 MHz oscillators are preferred for nonlinear microscopy and amplifier seeding.

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Frequently Asked Questions

An ultrafast laser emits optical pulses with durations in the picosecond (10⁻¹² s) to femtosecond (10⁻¹⁵ s) range, resulting in extremely high peak powers at relatively modest average powers. Unlike CW or nanosecond lasers, ultrafast sources rely on mode-locking to generate a stable train of short pulses with precisely defined temporal and spectral properties, enabling nonlinear optics, micromachining, and time-resolved spectroscopy that are not feasible with longer pulses.

What Are Ultrafast Laser Oscillators?

Ultrafast laser oscillators are mode-locked light sources that generate trains of femtosecond or picosecond pulses at high repetition rates, typically tens of MHz to several GHz. These oscillators form the core of many ultrafast systems, providing a stable seed for amplifiers or acting as stand-alone sources in precision experiments.

On FindLight, oscillators span Ti:sapphire, Yb-doped, fiber, and OPA-pumped designs, covering near-IR to visible and, in some cases, mid-IR spectral regions. Configurations include free-space and fiber-coupled outputs, with options for tunable wavelength, carrier-envelope phase stabilization, and integrated dispersion management.

Typical Specifications for Oscillators

When evaluating oscillators, key parameters include:

  • Wavelength / tuning range: Common center wavelengths around 800 nm (Ti:sapphire), 1030–1064 nm (Yb), and 1.5–2.0 µm (Er/Tm), with tuning ranges of tens to hundreds of nanometers for some designs.
  • Pulse duration: From sub-20 fs few-cycle pulses to several picoseconds, often specified as FWHM assuming sech² or Gaussian temporal profiles.
  • Repetition rate: Typically 50–100 MHz, with some oscillators offering fixed or selectable repetition rates, or harmonically locked outputs.
  • Average output power: From a few tens of milliwatts to several watts, influencing achievable peak power and suitability as a seed source.
  • Beam quality: M² near 1 for diffraction-limited output and TEM₀₀ spatial mode, critical for tight focusing and nonlinear optics.
  • Noise and stability: Timing jitter, relative intensity noise (RIN), long-term power drift, and optional CEP or frequency-comb stabilization.

Use Cases and Selection Guidance

These oscillators are used in time-resolved spectroscopy, pump–probe experiments, nonlinear microscopy, frequency comb generation, micro- and nanofabrication, and seeding high-energy chirped-pulse amplification (CPA) systems. Choice of oscillator depends on your wavelength requirements, target pulse energy, dispersion budget, and synchronization constraints.

On FindLight you can compare oscillators across suppliers by filtering for wavelength, pulse width, repetition rate, power, and beam delivery options. Review full datasheets for cavity design, cooling requirements, power stability plots, and interface options (RS-232, USB, Ethernet) to match your lab or OEM integration needs.

Once you identify suitable oscillators, use the built-in request-for-quote tools to contact manufacturers directly. You can request multiple quotes, specify custom options, and share application details to refine configurations—no registration is required to initiate supplier inquiries.