SuperLight Introduces Industry's First Portable Broadband Laser

SuperLight Photonics, a developer of supercontinuum lasers, recently introduced what it calls "the first revolutionary portable broadband laser," the SLP-1000. Its wide spectral output provides a reliable, high-quality light source for industrial and medical imaging applications as well as spectroscopy.
Supercontinuum lasers - also known as broadband lasers - are capable of providing high bandwidth while maintaining high coherence and low noise. However, says Enschede, Netherlands-based SuperLight Photonics, today's industrial solutions tend to be large and heavy, have limited environmental robustness, and require high power.
The SLP-1000, however, is a portable broadband laser with a compact, battery-powered, rugged design that weighs just 900 grams (32 ounces) and has a form factor of less than 1 liter.
Based on the PAD method (Patterned Alternating Dispersion), the SLP-1000 provides high-quality, coherent and stable spectral output in the near-infrared band (400nm ＠-3dB to 1500nm ＠-20dB)," said SuperLight. 1500nm @ -20dB) with a repetition frequency of 100MHz and a pulse duration of about 20fs.
It integrates a seed laser from Menlo Systems, a supplier of high-precision photon metrology instruments. The laser output is equipped with Thorlabs-compatible threads (SM05) for seamless integration with other Thorlabs products.
The short pulse duration of about 20 fs achieved by the SLP-1000 also demonstrates the advantages of having a highly efficient SC generator," the company said. Lower pulse energies can be used at the input of these devices compared to alternatives; thus, eliminating the pulse broadening, noise in the amplification stage, and additional optics required for amplification."
The SLP-1000 also offers high-quality nonlinear pulse compression for applications such as third-harmonic surface imaging and transient absorption spectroscopy. The laser will be officially launched next week at the PIC Summit European Photonics event on November 7 and 8 in Eindhoven.
The broadband laser is based on the patented platform technology of SuperLight Photonics founder Haider Zia, previously a researcher at the University of Twente specializing in integrated and nonlinear optics. Unlike existing laser technology, SuperLight Photonics can use color in light to transmit information. The technology has many potential applications, such as creating 3D images of the eye for ophthalmologists or helping dermatologists detect skin cancer. In addition to the medical field, laser technology could be used to detect small cracks in oil or gas pipelines, or to enhance optical safety sensors in smart cars.
Recently, the company also announced the closing of a seed round of investment by Dutch DeepTech investor DeepTechXL in partnership with Oost NL. With this investment, SuperLight Photonics will further develop its platform technology into unique products and (sub)systems.
Cees Links, CEO of SuperLight Photonics, commented, "Our mission is to fully utilize our platform technology with the active support of our investors. Our goal is to enter the market quickly, relying on the strong photonics ecosystems in the Netherlands and Twente. Over the next few years, SuperLight Photonics is poised for significant growth, market establishment, and further expansion."
Dr. Haider Zia, CTO of SuperLight Photonics, commented, "We are delighted to have two new investors who are both active in the photonics ecosystem in the Netherlands. Their deep knowledge and extensive networks at home and abroad are a valuable addition. They support us in the continuous development of new knowledge in the field of photonic applications and emphasize our commitment to technological progress."