Laser nanophotonics research and services using a high-repetition rate tunable femtosecond laser system
- Unit: Faculty of Physics
- Keywords: Femtosecond laser, nanophotonic research, parametric amplifier, high-repetition frequency, tunable wave length laser, numerical modelling, laser formation, artificial three-dimensional frame laser formation, laser formation of nanophotonic elements, Pharos, Orpheus, Lyra
Research and services are carried out by using:
1. Pharos-SP high-repetition frequency tunable femtosecond laser system with the Orpheus / Lyra parametric amplifier;
2. Precision three-coordinate positioning system with a galvanometric beam control subsystem;
3. Technological system for polymeric layer formation and processing;
4. Electronic microscope TM-1000 (from VU OAC Laser Research Centre facility “Naglis”);
5. Unique set of equipment and diagnostics for nanophotonic systems.
Properties of femtosecond laser:
Central wavelength 1030 ± 10 nm,
Pulse repetition rate can be tuned in the 1-1000 kHz range;
Pulse duration ≤200 fs;
Average power ≥6W at 50-200 kHz;
Beam quality is M2≤1.3.
Properties of the parametric optical amplifier: tuning range is 350-2600 nm, maximum efficiency 15 % (signal+idler), conversion efficiency of integrated second harmonic generator is >50 % (515 nm).
Application.
Laser nanophotonics research:
1. Numerical modeling, laser formation, geometry and optical properties (focus, collimation, phase modulation) description of multifunctional (refractive / diffractive) and integrated (on the optical fiber tip) micro – optical elements (10 – 100 μm).
2. Artificial three-dimensional frame laser formation for cell biology and tissue engineering applications. Biologically inert and degrading polymers can be used and a carcass can be made of several different materials. Pore size and filling factor can be varied from 1 to 100 μm and 20-80%, respectively.
3. Laser formation of nanophotonic elements in polymers and transparent materials. With the laser, two-dimensional and three-dimensional fixed and gradually variable period photonic crystals can be formed. Their period can be from 0.5 to 10 μm. Numerical modeling of these items and characterization of their light control properties.