Discover how ultrafast lasers and terahertz (THz) technology are transforming industries with insights from Michel Begin, an expert in advanced photonics solutions. Learn about THz generation, femtosecond fiber lasers, and the exciting future of this groundbreaking technology. Michel, what makes THz radiation special compared to other spectral bands of the electromagnetic spectrum? THz waves have unique properties that set them apart. They can penetrate various non-conductive materials such as plastics, fabrics,…
About the THz Research Group at uOttawa Dr. Jean-Michel Ménard, a professor at the University of Ottawa, leads a cutting-edge research group focused on ultrafast optical techniques for terahertz-based technologies. Their work spans condensed matter research, wireless communication, and real-time molecular imaging. While some experiments rely on high-power laser sources to study fundamental light-matter interactions, the group is also dedicated to developing compact and cost-effective devices for practical applications. Close…
Multiphoton microscopy is an advanced imaging technique that leverages the simultaneous absorption of multiple photons to excite fluorophores, generating a signal only at the focal point of the laser beam. This unique characteristic enables deeper tissue penetration, reduced out-of-focus light interference, and minimal phototoxicity, making it an indispensable tool for imaging living cells, neuronal structures, and complex biological environments. Additionally, this technique allows for real-time, high-resolution imaging of dynamic processes,…
Distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) relies on the scattering of light in optical fibers to detect perturbations on the fiber itself along its length. Since the scattering signal is weak, efforts continue to be made to improve the sensitivity of DAS, as well as its spatial resolution and maximum sensing range. To that end, coherent detection methods are commonly used. These methods put strong requirements on the coherence length and stability…
In two-photon microscopy, green fluorophores excited with 920 nm femtosecond lasers have been the standard choice for researchers. However, there is an increased interest in the use of red fluorophores such as mCherry or tdTomato that requires excitation at longer wavelengths near 1064 nm. At the same time, the ability to combine 920 nm and 1064 nm light sources is becoming more popular, paving the way for advanced multicolour imaging…
For a lot of people following this market, it feels like high-power fiber lasers are becoming a commodity, with prices getting so low that they can now be used in industries where the cost of the machines would have been prohibitive only a few years ago. However, technological innovation is still very much happening; it is not all about cost reduction (although it is certainly a central consideration). New applications…
Femtosecond lasers offer numerous opportunities, influencing advancements in scientific, medical and industrial fields. Currently, a wide array of ultrafast laser products is available, emitting at various wavelengths in the near-infrared and visible ranges. In recent years, there has been a notable emergence of several alternatives to aging, complex, expensive, and often unreliable ultrafast lasers from established players. In this application note, we discuss how to choose a laser source that…
Introduction Femtosecond lasers offer numerous opportunities, influencing advancements in scientific, medical, and industrial fields. Currently, a wide array of ultrafast laser products is available, emitting at various wavelengths in the near-infrared and visible ranges. In recent years, we have seen the emergence of several alternatives to aging, complex, expensive, and often unreliable ultrafast lasers from established players. In this application note, we discuss how to choose a laser source that…
In a joint presentation by indie (former EXALOS) and customer FIBER OPTICAL SOLUTIONS (FOS) at the 61th DGON ISA symposium, experts from both companies demonstrated a novel integrated 1550 nm 3-fiber SLED transceiver module and its application in a high-precision Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) for navigation. The symposium took place in Brunswick (Braunschweig), Germany at October 22-23, 2024, as a face-to-face event. indie’s (former EXALOS) developer Stefan Gloor presented the…
The indie team has developed a new generation of 488nm Fabry-Perot laser diodes (FP-LDs) with best-in-class conversion efficiency, good control of emission wavelength and long-term reliability.These new devices will support a wide range of applications, and are particularly suited for fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry and spectroscopy. As of now, the LDs are available as uncooled TO56 cans (Product No. ELA350003-01) with free-space light output and include a monitor photodiode for…
Narrow-Linewidth DFB Laser Diode with Unique Modulation ResponseEdge-emitting distributed feedback laser (DFB) diodes are small-sized laser sources that can be produced in high volumes at a low cost. They are widely deployed in telecommunication systems and have proven to be reliable over years of continuous operation. DFB diodes typically exhibit high levels of spontaneous emission resulting in frequency noise that may negatively affect the performance of some applications. Commercially available…
What Does “Discrete Variables” Refer To? Discrete variables (DV) refers to quantities that can be counted based on specific and indivisible observations, in opposition to continuous variables (CV) that can take any value with a range. In the context of QKD, DV protocols are associated to weak/attenuated pulses and single-photon detectors, while CV protocols use squeezed or coherent states with homodyne receivers. Where Is the “Quantum” in DV-QKD? For quantum information,…
