CARBIDE is a series of femtosecond lasers combining high average power and excellent power stability. CARBIDE features market-leading output parameters without compromises to beam quality and stability. A compact and robust optomechanical CARBIDE design allows a variety of applications in top-class research centers, as well as display, automotive, LED, medical, and other industries. The reliability of CARBIDE has been proven by hundreds of systems operating 24/7 in the industrial environment.

CARBIDE features high-power water-cooled (CB3) and air‑cooled (CB5) models. The tunability of CARBIDE lasers enables our customers to discover the most efficient manufacturing processes. Tunable parameters include pulse duration (190 fs – 20 ps), repetition rate (single-shot – 2 MHz), pulse energy (up to 2 mJ), and average power (up to 120 W). A pulse-on-demand mode is available using the built‑in pulse picker. The CARBIDE lasers can be equipped with industrial‑grade modules, including but not limited to harmonic generators and optical parametric amplifiers.

Video presentation

Output Characteristics

Model	CB3-20W	CB3-40W	CB3-80W		CB3-120W
Cooling method	Water-cooled
Center wavelength ¹⁾	1030 ± 10 nm
Maximum output power	20 W	40 W	80 W		120 W
Pulse duration ²⁾	< 250 fs			< 350 fs ³⁾	< 250 fs
Pulse duration tuning range	250 fs – 10 ps			350 fs – 10 ps	250 fs – 10 ps
Maximum pulse energy	0.4 mJ		0.8 mJ	2 mJ	1 mJ
Repetition rate	Single-shot – 1 MHz	Single-shot – 1 MHz (2 MHz on request)	Single-shot – 2 MHz		Single-shot – 1 MHz (2 MHz on request)
Pulse selection	Single-shot, pulse-on-demand, any fundamental repetition rate division
Polarization	Linear, vertical; 1 : 1000
Beam quality, M²	< 1.2
Beam diameter ⁴⁾	3.9 ± 0.4 mm		4.2 ± 0.4 mm	5.1 ± 0.7 mm	4.5 ± 0.5 mm
Beam pointing stability	< 20 µrad/°C
Pulse picker	FEC ⁵⁾
Pulse picker leakage	< 0.25 %
Pulse-to-pulse energy stability, 24 h ⁶⁾	< 0.5%
Long-term power stability, 100 h ⁶⁾	< 0.5%

Precise center wavelength for specific models available upon request.
Assuming Gaussian pulse shape.
Pulse duration can be reduced to < 250 fs if pulse peak intensity of > 50 GW/cm² is tolerated by the customer setup.
FW 1/e², using maximum pulse energy.
Provides fast energy control; external analog control input available. Response time – next available RA pulse.
Under stable environmental conditions. Expressed as NRMSD (normalized root mean squared deviation).

Main options

Model	CB3-20W	CB3-120W
Oscillator output	< 0.5 W, 120 – 250 fs, 1030 ± 10 nm, ≈ 65 MHz ¹⁾
Harmonics generator ²⁾	515 nm, 343 nm, 257 nm, or 206 nm
Optical parametric amplifier ³⁾	320 – 10 000 nm	n/a
BiBurst option	Optional

Available simultaneously, requires scientific interface. Contact sales@lightcon.com for details or customized solutions.
Integrated. For external harmonic generator, refer to HIRO.
Integrated. For more options and OPAs for -4mJ and -UP models, refer to ORPHEUS series of OPAs.

Physical Dimensions

Model	CB3-20W	CB3-80W
Laser head (L × W × H)	632 × 305 × 174 mm
Chiller (L × W × H)	585 × 484 × 221 mm	680 × 484 × 307 mm
24 V DC power supply (L × W × H) ¹⁾	280 × 144 × 49 mm	320 × 200 × 75 mm

Power supply can be different if optional 2 MHz version is selected.

Environmental & Utility Requirements

Model	CB3-20W	CB3-80W	CB3-120W
Operating temperature	15 – 30 °C
Relative humidity	< 80% (non-condensing)
Electrical requirements	100 V AC, 7 A – 240 V AC, 3 A; 50 – 60 Hz	100 V AC, 12 A – 240 V AC, 5 A; 50 – 60 Hz
Rated power	600 W	1000 W	2000 W
Power consumption	500 W	900 W	1400 W
Chiller
Electrical requirements	100 – 230 V AC; 50 – 60 Hz	200 – 230 V AC; 50 – 60 Hz
Rated power	1400 W	2000 W
Power consumption	1000 W	1300 W	1700 W

Output Characteristics

Model	CB3-UV-30W	CB3-UV-50W
Cooling method	Water-cooled
Center wavelength	343 ± 3 nm
Maximum output power	> 30 W	> 50 W
Pulse duration ¹⁾	≈ 500 fs
Output pulse energy	35 – 150 μJ
Repetition rate	200 – 800 kHz	300 – 1200 kHz
Polarization	Linear, vertical; 1 : 200
Beam quality, M²	< 1.3
Beam diameter ²⁾	2.5 – 5 mm
Long-term power stability, 12 h ³⁾	< 0.5%
Lifetime	10000 h

Assuming Gaussian pulse shape.
FW 1/e², using maximum pulse energy.
Under stable environmental conditions. Expressed as NRMSD (normalized root mean squared deviation).

Main options

Model	CB3-UV-30W	CB3-UV-50W
Optional amplifier outputs	1030 nm, 515 nm

Physical dimensions

Model	CB3-UV-30W	CB3-UV-50W
Laser head (L × W × H)	832 × 350 × 174 mm
Chiller (L × W × H)	680 × 484 × 307 mm
24 V DC power supply (L × W × H)	320 × 200 × 75 mm

Environmental and utility requirements

Model	CB3-UV-30W	CB3-UV-50W
Operating temperature	15 – 30 °C
Relative humidity	< 80% (non-condensing)
Electrical requirements	100 V AC, 12 A – 240 V AC, 5 A
Rated power	1000 W
Power consumption	900 W
Chiller
Electrical requirements	200 – 230 V AC; 50 – 60 Hz
Rated power	2000 W
Power consumption	1300 W

Output Characteristics

Model	CB5		CB5-SP
Cooling method	Air-cooled ¹⁾
Center wavelength ²⁾	1030 ± 10 nm
Maximum output power	6 W	5 W
Pulse duration ³⁾	< 290 fs		< 190 fs
Pulse duration tuning range	290 fs – 20 ps		190 fs – 20 ps
Maximum pulse energy	100 µJ	83 µJ	100 µJ
Repetition rate	Single-shot – 1 MHz
Pulse selection	Single-shot, pulse-on-demand, any fundamental repetition rate division
Polarization	Linear, vertical; 1 : 1000
Beam quality, M²	< 1.2
Beam diameter ⁴⁾	2.1 ± 0.4 mm
Beam pointing stability	< 20 µrad/°C
Pulse picker	Included	Included ⁵⁾	Included
Pulse picker leakage	< 2 %	< 0.1 %	< 2 %
Pulse-to-pulse energy stability, 24 h ⁶⁾	< 0.5%
Long-term power stability, 100 h ⁶⁾	< 0.5%

Water-cooled version available on request.
Precise center wavelength for specific models available upon request.
Assuming Gaussian pulse shape.
FW 1/e², using maximum pulse energy.
Enhanced contrast AOM. Provides fast amplitude control of output pulse train.
Under stable environmental conditions. Expressed as NRMSD (normalized root mean squared deviation).

Main options

Model	CB5	CB5-SP
Oscillator output	n/a
Harmonics generator ¹⁾	515 nm, 343 nm, 257 nm, or 206 nm
Optical parametric amplifier ²⁾	320 – 10 000 nm
BiBurst option	n/a

Integrated. For external harmonic generator, refer to HIRO.
Integrated. For stand-alone OPAs, refer to ORPHEUS series of OPAs.

Physical Dimensions

Model	CB5	CB5-SP
Laser head (L × W × H)	631 × 324 × 162 mm
Chiller	Not required
24 V DC power supply (L × W × H)	220 × 95 × 46 mm

Environmental & Utility Requirements

Model	CB5	CB5-SP
Operating temperature	17 – 27 °C
Relative humidity	< 80% (non-condensing)
Electrical requirements	100 V AC, 3 A – 240 V AC, 1.3 A; 50 – 60 Hz
Rated power	300 W
Power consumption	150 W

CARBIDE-CB3-40W

Typical pulse duration of CARBIDE-CB3-40W laser

Typical spectrum of CARBIDE-CB3-40W laser

Typical beam profile of CARBIDE-CB3-40W

Typical pulse-to-pulse energy stability of CARBIDE-CB3 lasers

CARBIDE-CB3 output power and beam direction with power lock enabled, under varying environmental conditions

CARBIDE-CB3-80W-2mJ

Typical pulse duration of CARBIDE-CB3-80W-2mJ laser

Typical spectrum of CARBIDE-CB3-80W-2mJ laser

Long-term power stability of CARBIDE-CB3-80W-2mJ

Pulse energy vs repetition rate of CARBIDE-CB3-80W with HG

CARBIDE-CB3-120W

Typical pulse duration of CARBIDE-CB3-120W laser

Typical spectrum of CARBIDE-CB3-120W laser

Long-term power stability of CARBIDE-CB3-120W

Beam profile of CARBIDE-CB3-120W

CARBIDE-CB3-UV

Typical spectrum of CARBIDE-CB3-UV laser

Long-term power stability of CARBIDE-CB3-UV-50W laser

Typical M² measurement data of CARBIDE-CB3-UV

Beam profile of CARBIDE-CB3-UV-50W laser

CARBIDE-CB5-6W

Typical pulse duration of CARBIDE-CB5-6W laser

Typical spectrum of CARBIDE-CB5-6W laser

Long-term power stability of CARBIDE-CB5-6W laser

Typical 1H beam profile of CARBIDE-CB5 (100 kHz, 6 W)

Typical 2H beam profile of CARBIDE-CB5 (100 kHz, 3.4 W)

Typical 3H beam profile of CARBIDE-CB5 (100 kHz, 2.2 W)

Typical 4H beam profile of CARBIDE-CB5 (100 kHz, 100 mW)

CARBIDE-CB5-SP

Typical pulse duration of CARBIDE-CB5-SP laser

Typical spectrum of CARBIDE-CB5-SP laser

Long-term power stability of CARBIDE-CB5-SP laser

CARBIDE-CB3

CARBIDE-CB3 femtosecond laser basic model

Drawing of CARBIDE-CB3

CARBIDE-CB3 femtosecond laser with 2H harmonic module

Drawing of CARBIDE-CB3 with 2H harmonic module

CARBIDE-CB3 femtosecond laser with 2H-3H/4H harmonic module

Drawing of CARBIDE-CB3 with 2H-3H harmonic module

Drawing of CARBIDE-CB3 with 2H-4H harmonic module

CARBIDE-CB3 femtosecond laser with tunable I-OPA-TW

CARBIDE-CB3 femtosecond laser with tunable I-OPA-HP

Drawing and output ports of CARBIDE-CB3 with tunable I-OPA-HP

Drawing of CARBIDE-CB3 with tunable I-OPA-HP with SH extension

CARBIDE-CB3-40-200 with scientific interface module SCI-M

Drawing of CARBIDE-CB3-40-200 with scientific interface module

CARBIDE-CB3-UV

CARBIDE-CB3-UV High-Power UV Femtosecond Laser

Drawing of CARBIDE-CB3-UV

CARBIDE-CB5

CARBIDE-CB5 air-cooled femtosecond laser

Drawing of CARBIDE-CB5

Drawing of CARBIDE-CB5 with attenuator

CARBIDE-CB5 femtosecond laser with 2H harmonic module

Drawing of CARBIDE-CB5 with 2H harmonic module

Drawing of CARBIDE-CB5 with 2H-3H harmonic module

Drawing of CARBIDE-CB5 with 2H-4H harmonic module

CARBIDE-CB5 femtosecond laser with 2H-3H-4H harmonic module

CARBIDE-CB5 with tunable I-OPA-HP with SH extension

Drawing and output ports of CARBIDE-CB5 with tunable I-OPA-HP

Drawing of CARBIDE-CB5 with tunable I-OPA-HP with SH extension

Tunable GHz and MHz Burst with Burst-in-Burst Capability

CARBIDE-CB3 lasers have an option for tunable GHz and MHz burst with burst-in-burst capability – called BiBurst. In standard mode, a single pulse is emitted at some fixed frequency. In burst mode, the output consists of pulse packets instead of single pulses. Each packet consists of a certain number of equally separated pulses. MHz-Burst contains N pulses with a nanosecond period, GHz-Burst contains P pulses with a picosecond period. If both bursts are used, the equally separated pulse packets contain sub-packets of pulses (burst-in-burst, BiBurst).

Automated Harmonic Generators

CARBIDE lasers equipped with automated harmonic generators (HGs) provide a selection of fundamental (1030 nm), second (515 nm), third (343 nm), or fourth (257 nm) harmonic outputs using software control.

HGs are perfect for industrial applications that require a single-wavelength output. Modules, mounted directly at the output of the laser, are fully integrated into the system. The 50 W UV model opens new capabilities in micromachining and other applications. It has maintained not just the footprint of the CARBIDE laser with standard harmonics but also the stability and beam quality.

Industrial-Grade Optical Parametric Amplifiers

The industrial-grade optical parametric amplifier I-OPA series marks a new era of simplicity in the world of tunable wavelength femtosecond light sources. Based on over 10 years of experience producing the ORPHEUS series of optical parametric amplifiers, this solution brings together the tunability of wavelength with the robust industrial-grade design. The I-OPA is a rugged module attachable to CARBIDE lasers, providing long-term stability comparable to that of the industrial-grade harmonic generators.

Scientific Interface Module for CARBIDE

The CARBIDE scientific interface module extends the versatility of the industrial-grade laser and makes it particularly attractive to scientific applications. This module incorporates multiple options such as a simultaneous or separate oscillator output, a second compressed or uncompressed laser output, and seeding by an external oscillator. For example, using it, the CARBIDE laser can be seeded by an oscillator from another CARBIDE laser, thus ensuring a precise optical synchronization between the two lasers. All the aforementioned outputs can be equipped with automated power attenuators. All options are compatible in between.

Publications

Compact high-flux X-ray source based on irradiation of solid targets by gigahertz and megahertz bursts of femtosecond laser pulses

L. Rimkus, I. Stasevičius, M. Barkauskas, L. Giniūnas, V. Barkauskas, S. Butkus, and M. Vengris, Optics Continuum 8 (1), 1819 (2022).

Deep tissue multi-photon imaging using adaptive optics with direct focus sensing and shaping

Z. Qin, Z. She, C. Chen, W. Wu, J. K. Y. Lau, N. Y. Ip, and J. Y. Qu, Nature Biotechnology (2022).

Nonlinear microscopy ORPHEUS-F CARBIDE

Effects of polyethylene oxide particles on the photo-physical properties and stability of FA-rich perovskite solar cells

R. K. Koech, Y. A. Olanrewaju, R. Ichwani, M. Kigozi, D. O. Oyewole, O. V. Oyelade, D. M. Sanni, S. A. Adeniji, E. Colin‑Ulloa, L. V. Titova et al., Scientific Reports 1 (12) (2022).

Transient absorption spectroscopy ORPHEUS CARBIDE HARPIA HARPIA-TA

Electron–Hole Binding Governs Carrier Transport in Halide Perovskite Nanocrystal Thin Films

M. F. Lichtenegger, J. Drewniok, A. Bornschlegl, C. Lampe, A. Singldinger, N. A. Henke, and A. S. Urban, ACS Nano (2022).

Fluorescence spectroscopy ORPHEUS CARBIDE HARPIA HARPIA-TF

Improved synthesis and transient absorption spectroscopy of CuBiW₂O₈ with demonstration of visible-light-driven photocatalysis and mechanistic insights

C. Y. Akkaya, J. P. Dombrowski, E. Colin‑Ulloa, L. V. Titova, T. J. Lawton, T. E. Alexander, E. Brack, C. Drew, and P. M. Rao, Journal of Materials Chemistry A 46 (10), 24888-24895 (2022).

Transient absorption spectroscopy CARBIDE HARPIA HARPIA-TA

Long seed, short pump: converting Yb-doped laser radiation to multi-µJ few-cycle pulses tunable through 2.5–15 µm

R. Budriūnas, K. Jurkus, M. Vengris, and A. Varanavičius, Optics Express 8 (30), 13009 (2022).

Nonlinear optics Laser pumping and seeding ORPHEUS-MIR PHAROS CARBIDE

Ultrafast Spectroscopy of Plasmons and Free Carriers in 2D MXenes

E. Colin‑Ulloa, A. Fitzgerald, K. Montazeri, J. Mann, V. Natu, K. Ngo, J. Uzarski, M. W. Barsoum, and L. V. Titova, Advanced Materials, 2208659 (2022).

Transient absorption spectroscopy CARBIDE HARPIA HARPIA-TA