Femtosecond lasers have gained enormous importance in industry and are used, for example, for glass cutting of cell phone displays. They are also used for the micromachining of metals or ceramics. Femtosecond lasers usually emit in the wavelength range around one micrometer. For many applications, however, lasers that emit wavelengths around two microns are optimal – for plastics and organic materials, for example, which absorb energy particularly well in this wavelength range.

The scientists of the ultrafast photonics group of the LZH want to realize such an fs laser at two micrometers with more than 250 µJ pulse energy together with Neolase from Hannover and the Belgian partners Optec, Lasea and Multitel ASBL. The project partners will also develop a complete system for material processing. The high-energy laser systems could be used for applications such as the manufacture of miniaturized, biocompatible medical components such as low-cost stents or catheters.

The project DISRUPT – Development of ultrafast Infrared Sources for Realizing Unprecedented materials Processes at Two micrometers – deals with the development of ultrafast infrared sources for realizing unprecedented material handling processes at 2 μm. The project is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research.