Design & Simulation of Low-Sensitivity, Robust Laser Resonators

We simulate laser resonators with ABCD and ABCDEF algorithms for stable resonators, as well as home-written physical wave propagation simulations for advanced unstable laser resonator schemes, the following graph showing an example result for such simulation.

Semiconductor Saturable Absorber Mirrors (SeSAMs) for ultrafast pulse generation

Having been among the pioneers of this technology, our team has extended experience both with the science of these devices and the commercialization inside industry-proven laser sources.  The Semiconductor saturable absorber mirror is simply used as one of the laser mirrors inside the laser cavity and starts and stabilizes the modelocking - the femtosecond or picosecond generation - in a robust way.  The laser resonator does not have to be operated close to the edge of its stability regime unlike in Kerr lens based setups. 

This allows for the implementation of sensitivity-optimized robust laser oscillator cavities for femtosecond or picosecond pulse generation.

Tolerancing

Integrated part of our laser development projects is tolerancing of optical and opto-mechanical designs as well as individual components.  We predict and test the tolerances of setups we build and confirm producibility in an early stage of product development.  Home-written ABCDEF algorithms allow for optimization of laser resonators, reducing the angle-sensitivity of optical components by an order of magnitude over existing, state-of-the art laser layouts.  Component testing with home-built test setups allow for the characterization of optical components, laser crystals, laser diodes, etc. before build-up and ensures the viability of setups in an early developmental state.  As one of many examples we show the temporal optical spectrum analysis of the laser emission of certain commercial QCW kilo-Watt-type laser diodes in the following graph.

3D opto-mechanical design & FEM

Projects are goverened and managed by way of 3D opto-mechanical design and finite-element analysis wherever appropriate.

Prototyping to production engineering

Prototypes and production engineering is performed in close collaboration with experienced manufacturing, logistics and assembly partners and enables efficient project completion.  A class-100 clean room area ensures clean optical setups and assemblies.  State-of-the-art laser diagnostics equipment allows well-defined laser performance characterization including noise, energy stability statistics and laser beam characterization following ISO 11146.