Nonlinear processes — second-harmonic and frequency conversion, four-wave mixing, and nonlinear photonic networks — rely on driving a nonlinear medium efficiently and repeatably. Efficient conversion generally requires high peak power to reach the interaction thresholds involved, and a stable, mode-hop-free single-frequency spectrum so conversion efficiency doesn't drift from pulse to pulse.
Pulse duration is what makes this achievable from a practical energy budget: for a given pulse energy, a shorter pulse concentrates that energy into a narrower time window, yielding substantially higher peak power than a longer pulse of the same energy. This is why picosecond-duration sources can reach the peak powers nonlinear conversion needs without requiring the much higher pulse energies a nanosecond source would.
High peak power at a single, stable wavelength can also drive spectral broadening in nonlinear fiber (supercontinuum generation), extending these techniques into broadband applications.
Nonlinear & Quantum Photonics
Nonlinear optical processes and quantum photonics both depend on driving light-matter interactions efficiently and repeatably. Achieving that in practice places specific, demanding requirements on the excitation laser — requirements that differ somewhat between the two fields, though both call for high peak power and spectral stability. This page outlines what those applications need, and how our laser platform is built to meet them.
Nonlinear frequency conversion & photonic research
Quantum photonics: pump sources for photon-pair generation
Quantum photonics is one of the fastest-growing areas of photonics research and investment. Picosecond, single-frequency pump lasers are a well-established input into it — specifically as pump sources for spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC), heralded single-photon sources, and entangled-photon-pair generation for quantum key distribution and photonic quantum computing testbeds.
These applications typically require high peak power to reach usable photon-pair generation rates, a narrow linewidth for well-defined photon energy, and low timing jitter for coincidence-based detection schemes. Pulse duration matters here in both directions: nanosecond pump pulses generally lack the peak power for practical pair-generation rates, while femtosecond pulses broaden the pump spectrum enough to affect photon indistinguishability in interference-based protocols. Picosecond duration sits between the two — enough peak power for practical generation rates, while keeping the pump spectrum narrow.
How Picophotonics lasers support these applications
Picophotonics' picosecond microchip lasers are built around proprietary SESAM-based passive Q-switching, delivering pulse energies up to 10 µJ, peak powers into the tens of kilowatts, and a stable single-frequency spectrum (< 0.06 nm) — matching the peak power and spectral stability requirements outlined above. This is generated from a compact, monolithic microchip architecture, without the cost or complexity of a mode-locked laser system.
Three platforms cover the range most nonlinear and quantum photonics setups need:
CP64 — 1064 nm high energy picosecond laser
High pulse energy and peak power at the fundamental wavelength, well suited to driving nonlinear conversion and pump-probe photonic experiments.
CP64 Product PageCP32 — 532 nm high energy picosecond laser
Frequency-doubled, single-frequency output for experiments requiring visible-wavelength excitation with the same spectral purity and peak power.
CP32 Product PageCP2L — Dual-wavelength picosecond laser
Synchronized 532 nm and 1064 nm output for experiments needing two-color excitation, such as two-color pump-probe or seeding a second nonlinear stage.
CP2L Product PageQ-switched laser technology
Time-resolved Raman spectroscopy Nonlinear and Quantum Photonics
Testimonials
Dr. Jack C. Gartside
Assistant Professor
Imperial College London
In our Nanomagnetism & Nanophotonics Research Groups at Imperial, we have requirements for compact, power efficient, cost-effective and ultimately powerful & flexible pulse lasers - which were very challenging to meet all at once with a single device. We have been exceptionally impressed with the hardware, customer service, and value for money provided by Picophotonics products. The level of control, power, and pulse durations offered at a competitive pricepoint is extremely impressive - we have found roles for Picophotonics pulse lasers in all-optical nanomagnetic switching experiments, neuromorphic photonic neural networks, and a variety of other diverse & demanding nanoscale experimental avenues.
Picophotonics Team has been very helpful, creative, and we have already recommended their laser products to several collaborators who are also very happy with their purchase.
Publications
Few-Shot Retinomorphic Vision in a Nonlinear Photonic Network Laser
22nd of July 2024
Wai Kit Ng et. al., Imperial College London
https://arxiv.org/abs/2407.15558
Talk to us about your nonlinear or quantum photonics application
Every nonlinear or quantum optics setup has its own requirements — target wavelength, peak power, synchronization, and integration footprint all shape which laser platform fits best. Our team can help you match a platform to your experiment, or scope a custom configuration if the standard products don't quite fit.
Contact us
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