ORPHEUS-MIR is an optical parametric amplifier (OPA) optimized for the efficient generation of broad-bandwidth MIR pulses. The laser system provides ultrashort pulses in the tuning range of 2.5 – 10 μm and reaches up to 15 μm with a narrow-bandwidth extension. Due to the novel system design, ORPHEUS-MIR provides < 100 fs pulses directly at the output. Signal and Idler outputs are available simultaneously. The system architecture is well-suited for high-energy and high‑power PHAROS and CARBIDE femtosecond pump lasers.

ORPHEUS-MIR serves as an excellent high-repetition-rate source for spectroscopy, such as two-dimensional infrared (2D IR) and vibrational sum-frequency generation (SFG) spectroscopy. Combined with a narrow-bandwidth output of SHBC, it forms a compact laser system for SFG measurements, covering most of the MIR spectrum in a single shot and providing high spectral resolution. In addition, its high output stability is the key to fast and high-quality SFG imaging.

Furthermore, for MIR applications requiring CEP-stable pulses, ORPHEUS-MIR provides unique CEP-stable option in the complete 2500 – 15000 nm range.

Applications

Broadband vibrational sum-frequency generation (SFG) spectroscopy
Time- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (TR-ARPES)
Two-dimensional infrared (2D IR) spectroscopy
High-harmonic generation (HHG) in solids
Other infrared spectroscopy and high-energy physics applications

Main output (2500 – 10000 nm)

Model	ORPHEUS-MIR
Mode of operation	Standard / non-collinear	Collinear ¹⁾
Tuning range	2500 – 4000 nm (Signal) 4000 – 10000 nm (Idler)	2500 – 4500 nm (Signal) 4500 – 10000 nm (Idler)
Maximum pump power	80 W
Pump pulse energy	200 µJ – 3 mJ
Pulse duration	< 100 fs	< 400 fs (< 100 fs with dispersion compensation) ¹⁾
Conversion efficiency ²⁾	> 1.2% @ 3000 nm > 1.0% @ 3500 nm > 0.6% @ 5000 nm > 0.3% @ 9000 nm
Spectral bandwidth ³⁾	> 300 cm^-1 @ 2500 – 4000 nm > 200 cm^-1 @ 4000 – 10000 nm
Long-term power stability, 8 h ⁴⁾	< 2% @ 5000 nm
Pulse-to-pulse energy stability, 1 min ⁴⁾	< 2% @ 5000 nm

Collinear mode is achieved with additional external separator box. Dispersion compensation is optional.
Specified as a percentage of pump power.
FWHM (full width at half maximum).
Expressed as NRMSD (normalized root mean squared deviation).

Auxiliary output 1 (2000 nm)

Model	ORPHEUS-MIR
Mode of operation	Standard / non-collinear	Collinear
Output wavelength ¹⁾	2000 ± 100 nm
Pulse duration	< 50 fs
Conversion efficiency ²⁾	> 8%
Spectral bandwidth	> 350 cm^-1

Not tunable, optimized for best overall performance. Not simultaneous to OPA output.
Specified as a percentage of pump power.

Auxiliary output 2 (1350 – 2000 nm)

Model	ORPHEUS-MIR
Mode of operation	Standard / non-collinear	Collinear
Tuning range ¹⁾	1350 – 2000 nm
Pulse duration	< 300 fs
Conversion efficiency ²⁾	Contact sales@lightcon.com
Spectral bandwidth	60 – 150 cm^-1

Simultaneous to OPA output. Available on request.
Specified as a percentage of pump power.

Wavelength extension (10000 – 15000 nm)

Model	ORPHEUS-MIR
Mode of operation	Standard / non-collinear	Collinear ¹⁾
Tuning range ²⁾	10000 – 15000 nm	n/a
Pulse duration	< 300 fs
Conversion efficiency ³⁾	> 0.2% @ 12000 nm
Spectral bandwidth	100 – 200 cm^-1

Collinear mode is achieved with additional external separator box. Dispersion compensation is optional.
Not available in collinear-output configuration.
Specified as a percentage of pump power.

Pump Laser Requirements

Model	ORPHEUS-MIR
Mode of operation	Standard / non-collinear	Collinear
Pump laser	PHAROS or CARBIDE
Center wavelength	1030 ± 10 nm
Maximum pump power	80 W
Repetition rate	Single-shot – 400 kHz
Pump pulse energy	200 µJ – 3 mJ
Pulse duration ¹⁾	180 – 300 fs

FWHM, assuming Gaussian pulse shape.

Environmental & Utility requirements

Model	ORPHEUS-MIR
Mode of operation	Standard / non-collinear	Collinear
Operating temperature ¹⁾	19 – 25 ºC (air conditioning recommended)
Relative humidity ¹⁾	20 – 70% (non-condensing)
Electrical requirements	100 – 240 V AC, 1.4 A; 50 – 60 Hz
Rated power	120 W
Power consumption	Standby: 10 W. Max during wavelength tuning: 100 W

Specifications are guaranteed for a maximum temperature variation of ± 1 ºC and humidity variation of ± 10%.

Performance charts

Typical tuning curves of ORPHEUS-MIR.
Pump: 80 W, 2 mJ, 40 kHz

Typical spectral bandwidth of ORPHEUS-MIR

Typical output spectrum and pulse duration

Typical output spectrum (left) and pulse duration (right). Measured at ≈ 3000 nm

Pulse-to-pulse energy stability of ORPHEUS-MIR.
Measured at ≈ 3000 nm

Long-term power stability of ORPHEUS-MIR.
Measured over 12 h at 5000 nm

Broadband Multidimensional Spectroscopy Identifies the Amide II Vibrations in Silkworm Films

A. S. Chatterley, P. Laity, C. Holland, T. Weidner, S. Woutersen, and G. Giubertoni, Molecules 19 (27), 6275 (2022).

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

Measuring Protein Conformation at Aqueous Interfaces with 2D Infrared Spectroscopy of Emulsions

A. S. Chatterley, T. W. Golbek, and T. Weidner, The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters 31 (13), 7191-7196 (2022).

2D infrared spectroscopy ORPHEUS-MIR PHAROS

Peptide Orientation at Emulsion Nanointerfaces Dramatically Different from Flat Surfaces

T. W. Golbek, K. Strunge, A. S. Chatterley, and T. Weidner, The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters 46 (13), 10858-10862 (2022).

Sum-frequency spectroscopy ORPHEUS-MIR PHAROS

Structure and Orientation of the SARS-Coronavirus-2 Spike Protein at Air–Water Interfaces

M. Bregnhøj, S. J. Roeters, A. S. Chatterley, F. Madzharova, R. Mertig, J. S. Pedersen, and T. Weidner, The Journal of Physical Chemistry B 18 (126), 3425-3430 (2022).

2D infrared spectroscopy ORPHEUS-MIR PHAROS

Electrostatics Trigger Interfacial Self-Assembly of Bacterial Ice Nucleators

F. Madzharova, M. Bregnhøj, A. S. Chatterley, K. B. Løvschall, T. Drace, L. S. A. Dreyer, T. Boesen, and T. Weidner, Biomacromolecules 2 (23), 505-512 (2021).

2D infrared spectroscopy ORPHEUS-MIR PHAROS