Compact fs Fiber Laser Source for Broadband CARS Microscopy

Based on our success in developing the world’s first commercial 10 W femtosecond fiber laser system and our leading technology development in ultrashort pulsed fiber laser, PolarOnyx proposes, for the first time, a compact high power dual band integrated fiber laser source. The integrated system will be the first extremely compact comprehensive system to address NIST’s current and future needs for accessing molecular fingerprints via chemical imaging of materials and biological systems. The key for the commercialization of BBCARS is the development of advanced performance laser system. In the current proposal a new approach is suggested for generation of compressible Supercontinuum covering from 800-1300 nm and a probe beam at 850 nm. In this approach a photonic crystal fiber PCF with flat dispersion wavelength is pumped by 100 fs fiber laser at 1030 nm wavelength and 850 nm probe beam is through an OPA system. In Phase I, these key functions have been demonstrated. A prototype with turnkey operation will be developed and delivered to NIST in Phase II.