Unlock new possibilities: With new high-performance GHz laser

At Menhir Photonics, we’re excited to announce our latest advancement in laser technology.

The new MENHIR-1030 at 1 GHz stands as the first industrial-grade GHz repetition rate laser operating at 1030 nm. It delivers femtosecond soliton pulses (ultrashort light pulses) characterized by an exceptionally clean optical spectrum, remarkably low timing jitter, and pulse-to-pulse stability approaching fundamental physical limits.

We’ve also integrated repetition rate and carrier-envelope offset frequency control options, allowing synchronization to external clock systems for precise timing control and high-end optical comb applications. This advancement represents a significant leap beyond traditional fiber lasers, achieving unprecedented repetition rates, exceptionally low noise, and robust reliability qualities we are particularly proud to bring to our customers. We are thrilled to share
more about these innovations and how they’re set to transform numerous applications in both research and industry.

The applications: from quantum technologies to material processing

What excites us most about the MENHIR-1030 is its versatility across multiple fields:

Quantum applications

One of the primary target applications is in quantum technologies. The high flux means we have a lot of pulses, single and entangled photon generation from quantum dots at this wavelength. The high repetition rate and exceptional stability make this laser an ideal choice for researchers pushing the boundaries of quantum information science.

High-intensity light generation

The low-noise characteristics of the MENHIR-1030 laser enable sophisticated amplification techniques that weren’t previously possible with this level of reliability. This process involves coupling the laser output into an enhancement cavity, potentially with intermediate amplification stages, to achieve significant power buildup.

This enhanced power enables the generation of second harmonic light and various non-linear conversion processes within the cavity, opening up
new possibilities for researchers and industrial applications alike.

Coherent combining for ultra-high peak power

Another exciting application leverages our laser’s unique capabilities for achieving extremely high intensities. This low-noise capability allows for coherent combining techniques, where individual pulses are precisely stacked to achieve unprecedented peak intensities. This capability is particularly valuable for applications requiring unprecedented peak powers.

Material processing

While not our primary focus due to market competition, the MENHIR-1030’s capability as a burst source for material processing underscores its versatility. Research in this field was done with a cost-effective solution and low quality burst. The extremely good pulse train quality and pulse to pulse stability of the MENHIR-1030 allow users to understand in detail the full potential of GHz burst machining. A high quality Swiss tool is used to unlock and understand the physics behind it.

Free electron lasers and accelerator systems

Perhaps one of the most fascinating applications is in the field of free electron lasers, where both our 160 MHz and 1 GHz versions can be amplified and used for electron gun systems in particle accelerators.

The process works like this: You generate very high intensity light. You shoot it on your target, and then you can use it as the electron gun for a particle accelerator. In the end, what you do in these free electron lasers, you accelerate the electrons and you send them through a magnetic field. This is what’s done in all these facilities. But there are also projects going on in the world to not use this for scientific stuff, but for commercial fabrication. To describe this application in
one term, the most accurate would be “seeding for accelerator gun systems.”

Retrofitting existing systems

We’ve also found that our approach offers an elegant solution for updating older laser systems. We are retrofitting existing systems that are no longer supplied in the field with more robust, high repetition rate lasers. Systems that were previously super complex to build and which companies were reluctant to continue producing can now be updated using our approach.

Our approach involves using a higher repetition rate laser in a compact and robust design, allowing users to select specific pulses (e.g., every second pulse) to achieve lower repetition rates if required. We’ve complemented this retrofitting capability with a free-space crystal picker, a device that selects specific laser pulses with minimal energy loss (95% transmission), which minimizes insertion losses compared to typical fiber solutions.

Built for reliability and ease of use

One aspect that we believe sets the MENHIR-1030 apart from other high-performance lasers is its design for practical, industrial use. We’ve built the system for 24/7 operation with high reliability, requiring no maintenance and operating without external cooling.

The big benefit is that the customer gets a laser that they can put on the table and just turn it on. It doesn’t need a water supply, a chiller or another box with a large controller. You get a single unit, you put it to 5V/1A and it works! With no maintenance on external cooling devices. It could even be power from a cell-phone battery if you want.

This focus on reliability translates to tangible benefits for our users, reducing the cost of ownership by up to 50% compared to classical systems that require time-consuming realignment and maintenance procedures.

Precision timing control for integrated systems

A key feature we’ve incorporated into the MENHIR-1030 is its ability to integrate seamlessly with larger systems through precise timing controls. The MENHIR-1030 features a precisely controlled repetition rate, but also offers tuning capabilities to lock onto larger timing systems.

This capability is particularly valuable in large facilities where different components need to be synchronized. In these big facilities, everything needs to talk to each other, basically being aligned with the whole clock. And this is a benefit of this laser, that you can lock it to any kind of external reference source.

Additionally, we’ve provided capabilities to transform these lasers into full frequency combs for metrology applications, thanks to the frequency comb offset and stabilization parameters we’ve included.

Our commitment to quality and innovation

In developing the MENHIR-1030 at 1 GHz, we’ve drawn on all of our experience and expertise at Menhir Photonics. We’ve transferred all our knowledge that we have gained with the 1550 nm lasers to this 1030 nm product line as well, ensuring that our users benefit from our established expertise in creating dependable, high-performance laser systems.

The result is a laser that combines high repetition rates, low noise, and industrial reliability in a compact, user-friendly package. It’s a system that not only pushes the technical boundaries of what’s possible but does so in a way that’s practical and valuable for real-world
applications.

We believe the MENHIR-1030 at 1 GHz will open new possibilities in quantum technologies, high-power optics, material processing, and more, while offering significant advantages in terms of reliability, ease of use, and reduced cost of ownership. We’ve designed it to make a significant impact across multiple industries and research fields, and we’re excited to see what our customers will achieve with it.

Come and see us at booth B2.521 at Laser World of Photonics in Munich, to find out more.