Advanced materials processing applications and biomedical imaging techniques are becoming
reliant on the benefits offered by ultrafast (ultra-short pulse) fibre laser technology. The
ultimate requirement for many of these applications is to be able to deliver individual high
intensity pulses, on demand, to the work surface. Limitations in performance of ultrafast laser
technology and laser modulation components means that it is impossible to deliver high
energy pulses on demand at repetition rates much in excess of 1MHz.
For some applications such as writing an image directly to a printing plate, time limitations
require that pulses are applied to the surface at a rate of up to 80MHz (80 million pulses per
second). However, with every pulse corresponding to an individual pixel of the image, the
laser must have the capability of being switched on and off at up to 80MHz (less than 10
nanosecond switching time). This must also be achieved when the laser is delivering up to
100-Watts of average optical power.
ULTRAPOD is inspired by Fianium patent applications for novel fibre laser architectures.
The technology is designed to eradicate the limitations of existing technology and permit fibre
lasers to be modulated on-demand at speeds of more than 80Mhz. The technology has
application not only for ultrafast pulses but for continuous wave operation as well, enabling
kilowatt fibre lasers to be directly modulated within timescales of 10 nanoseconds.
ULTRAPOD will focus on the delivery of two separate prototype laser systems
demonstrating, 1)high energy pulses on demand for high speed (tens of MHz) materials
processing and 2)Supercontinuum (white light laser) pulses on demand for advanced
fluorescence lifetime imaging.
Successful delivery of these prototypes will present a fantastic opportunity to further exploit
the rapidly expanding global market for industrial and scientific laser technology to the
benefit of UK companies and the wider UK economy.