Method of Short Pulse Wavelength Tuning

Laser technology has been an integral player in industries ranging from telecommunications to manufacturing to healthcare because of its light-concentration capability. One key issue, however, is that traditional lasers' limited ability to output variable wavelengths restricts their versatility and applicability. This limitation became a clear call to innovate a laser system providing a broader spectrum of output wavelengths. Current laser technologies that primarily bank on mechanical parts for their function exhibit decreasing reliability from wear and tear over time. These systems also commonly lack efficiency and are often hefty in size and power consumption, posing operational and logistical challenges. Thus, there is a pressing need for a more reliable, energy-efficient, and compact laser technology.

Technology Description

This innovative laser system capitalizes on the interaction between a soliton and a dispersive pulse in an optical fiber in order to generate adjustable output wavelengths. It leverages an effect known as cross-phase modulation, wherein one pulse manipulates the refractive index experienced by the other, resulting in wavelength shifts in each pulse proportionate to the time delay between them. This method enables the production of pulses with tunable output wavelengths over large distances, such as hundreds of nm, at rates reaching up to megahertz or gigahertz. What sets this technology apart is its exclusion of mechanical components, ensuring unparalleled reliability. The entirety of the laser's optical path is composed of optical fiber, allowing it to function with high efficiency and low power consumption, size, and weight. The variable wavelength functionality, coupled with its compact and efficient design, makes this laser system a distinct change from traditional laser systems.