Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SISHOT (Single-shot, ultrashort laser pulse characterization based on the dispersion scan technique)
Berichtszeitraum: 2022-09-01 bis 2023-08-31
Ultrashort laser pulses are prominent enabling tools in countless advanced applications, ranging from fundamental research to medical and industrial use. However, straightforward characterization of ultrashort laser pulses remains a nontrivial task. The project SISHOT, funded by the European Innovation Council, focuses on the development of advanced ultrashort laser pulse characterization based on the dispersion scan (d-scan) technique. In particular, two d-scan implementations, capable of characterizing ultrashort laser pulses in single-shot operation, will be further developed to meet the needs in academy and industry.
Single-shot characterization techniques are particularly appealing because they can measure the temporal profile of individual laser pulses without artefacts, otherwise often originating from averaging. The proposed techniques can directly link the measured pulse parameters to the outcome of experiments for every laser shot as well as give immediate, real-time feedback to the adjustment and optimisation of any ultrashort pulse laser. In comparison to the competitors, our instruments are easier to use and the measurements are intuitive to interpret.
The project builds on the outcome of previous proof-of-concept projects, funded by the European Research Council. It is driven collaboratively between the research group for attosecond physics at Lund University in Sweden and the deep-tech company, Sphere Ultrafast Photonics, located in Porto, Portugal. The research group and the company have established relations for almost ten years and have run a number of European funded development projects together. All SISHOT team members have been working with the d-scan technology for many years in different contexts and collaborations. Many of them are co-founders of Sphere and co-inventors of the patents the project builds on.
Single-shot characterization techniques are particularly appealing because they can measure the temporal profile of individual laser pulses without artefacts, otherwise often originating from averaging. The proposed techniques can directly link the measured pulse parameters to the outcome of experiments for every laser shot as well as give immediate, real-time feedback to the adjustment and optimisation of any ultrashort pulse laser. In comparison to the competitors, our instruments are easier to use and the measurements are intuitive to interpret.
The project builds on the outcome of previous proof-of-concept projects, funded by the European Research Council. It is driven collaboratively between the research group for attosecond physics at Lund University in Sweden and the deep-tech company, Sphere Ultrafast Photonics, located in Porto, Portugal. The research group and the company have established relations for almost ten years and have run a number of European funded development projects together. All SISHOT team members have been working with the d-scan technology for many years in different contexts and collaborations. Many of them are co-founders of Sphere and co-inventors of the patents the project builds on.
The basic idea behind the d-scan technique for measuring the duration of ultrashort laser pulses is to record the pulse’s second harmonic spectrum, generated in a suited nonlinear material (or exploit another nonlinear interaction), while the dispersion of the pulse, i.e. the spectral phase, is manipulated. From a recorded d-scan trace, i.e. second harmonic spectrum vs. dispersion, the spectral phase of the pulse can be retrieved with different computer based methods. Knowledge of the spectrum (measured separately or retrieved) and of the spectral phase (result of the retrieval) give the pulse in the time domain by Fourier transform operations. Even without retrieval, the d-scan trace itself is intuitive to interpret, as basic pulse distortions manifest as shifts, tilts or bends of the trace, therefore giving immediate, intuitive feedback to the laser operator.
The main goal of the project is to lift the technology readiness levels of different single-shot d-scan implementations, in particular concerning different wavelengths ranges relevant to different laser technologies and applications as well as the range of measurable pulse durations. Towards the end of the project, products will exist covering relevant ranges of pulse duration for scientific as well as industrial and medical applications. Up to this moment, all hurdles on this pathway, as initially outlined in the research proposal, have been taken.
In particular, the following intermediate goals have been achieved:
- An experimental setup to measure the dispersion of optical materials, in particular transverse second harmonic generation (TSHG) crystals, was realized (D2.1)”
- Designs for chirped mirrors at the important wavelengths of 800 nm and 1030 nm were established (D2.3).
- The working principle of the d-shot at 1030 nm was demonstrated as proof-of-concept (M1).
The main goal of the project is to lift the technology readiness levels of different single-shot d-scan implementations, in particular concerning different wavelengths ranges relevant to different laser technologies and applications as well as the range of measurable pulse durations. Towards the end of the project, products will exist covering relevant ranges of pulse duration for scientific as well as industrial and medical applications. Up to this moment, all hurdles on this pathway, as initially outlined in the research proposal, have been taken.
In particular, the following intermediate goals have been achieved:
- An experimental setup to measure the dispersion of optical materials, in particular transverse second harmonic generation (TSHG) crystals, was realized (D2.1)”
- Designs for chirped mirrors at the important wavelengths of 800 nm and 1030 nm were established (D2.3).
- The working principle of the d-shot at 1030 nm was demonstrated as proof-of-concept (M1).
The innovation and its successful commercialisations within the SISHOT project have impact on the scientific market as well as on laser manufacturers. Moreover, our innovative systems address potential applications in the medical sector, where ultrafast photonics technologies are widely used for early diagnostic detection of diseases, imaging and therapy. Finally, our techniques also target high-tech industrial and engineering applications where precision is key, such as material micro- and nano-structuring, surface processing or metrology applications.