High power picosecond laser system

• Subject Area: Production Technology
• Term: Funded in 2010
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 172843866

High power picosecond lasers are unique laser systems that can achieve extremely high light intensities suitable for nonlinear laser micromachining at the repetition rates and the average power levels sufficient for a variety of industrial applications. The intrinsic concept of amplified ps laser systems is much simpler than that of amplified fs lasers with pulse compression technology. This makes ps lasers more stable, more reliable, and more attractive as a production tool. The proposed system is a unique research / industrial type near infrared (1064 nm) 12 ps pulse duration laser with today’s highest achievable output parameters such as > 45 W output power, adjustable repetition rate (up to 8 MHz), and high quality spatial mode. The 2nd and the 3rd harmonic generation capabilities coupled with the burst control option make the proposed laser even more versatile. The laser system is planned to be used for development of material processing technologies for industrial or semi industrial applications. Initially, the Chair plans to concentrate on the development of nonlinear glass processing technologies and high precision high speed surface structuring: study processes dependence on the laser parameters, perform tradeoffs studies, and also conduct basic research in the field of ps laser-matter interaction. Real time processes control, monitoring, and automation will be another research direction. Industrial collaborations in system engineering areas are also envisioned.

• DFG Programme: Major Research Instrumentation
• Instrumentation Group: 5700 Festkörper-Laser
• Applicant Institution: Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
• Leader: Professor Dr.-Ing. Michael Schmidt