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Press Release Detail: Thorlabs Releases New Picosecond Microchip Laser with Material Processing Capabilities Newton, NJ - April 16, 2021 - Thorlabs has announced the release of a new passively Q-switched laser producing 500 ps pulses centered at 1030 nm. The microjoule-level pulse energies produced at kHz-repetition rates will allow for multiple applications including material processing, harmonic generation, LIDAR, photoacoustic imaging, and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy. A fiber-coupled pump source within the head produces exceptional beam quality for efficient micromachining applications. With a compact footprint measuring just 3.00” x 5.37” (76.2 mm x 136.3 mm) and taps for 30 mm cage system compatibility, this laser can be conveniently integrated into an existing system and paired with any number of Thorlabs’ cage-mounted components, including optics, motorized shutters, and galvo scanners. This turn-key solution includes custom temperature control and laser drive electronics incorporated in a separate control unit for optimized stability and performance. For pulse monitoring an SMA trigger out is provided on the laser head for clocking simultaneous events with pulse production. "We are very pleased with this new offering to Thorlabs’ catalog. A low-cost, high-quality picosecond laser at this energy level is sure to find applications in material processing and beyond," noted Chris Hensley, Laser Development Engineer at Thorlabs. "Over the next few years, we are planning to grow this product line to include additional wavelengths, repetition rates, and higher pulse energies." For more information on Thorlabs' new picosecond microchip laser, please visit thorlabs.com. About Thorlabs: Thorlabs, a vertically integrated photonics products manufacturer, was founded in 1989 to serve the laser and electro-optics research market. As that market has spawned a multitude of technical innovations, Thorlabs has extended its core competencies in an effort to play an ever increasing role serving the Photonics Industry at the research end, as well as the industrial, life science, medical, and defense segments. The organization’s highly integrated and diverse manufacturing assets include semiconductor fabrication of Fabry-Perot, DFB, and VCSEL lasers; fiber towers for drawing both silica and fluoride glass optical fibers; MBE/MOCVD epitaxial wafer growth reactors; extensive glass and metal fabrication facilities; advanced thin film deposition capabilities; and optomechanical and optoelectronic shops.