PHAROS is a series of femtosecond lasers combining millijoule pulse energy and high average power. PHAROS features a mechanical and optical design optimized for both scientific and industrial applications. A compact, thermally-stabilized, and sealed design enables PHAROS integration into various optical setups and machining workstations. Diode-pumped Yb medium significantly reduces maintenance costs and provides a long laser lifetime, while the robust optomechanical design enables stable operation in varying environments.

The tunability of PHAROS allows the system to cover applications normally requiring multiple different laser systems. Tunable parameters include pulse duration (190 fs – 20 ps), repetition rate (single-shot – 1 MHz), pulse energy (up to 2 mJ), and average power (up to 20 W). A pulse-on-demand mode is available using the built-in pulse picker. The versatility of PHAROS can be extended by a variety of optional modules.

Video presentation

Output Characteristics

Model ¹⁾	PH2-10W	PH2-15W	PH2-20W	PH2-SP-1mJ	PH2-SP-20W-2mJ
Maximum output power	10 W	15 W	20 W	6 W	20 W
Pulse duration ²⁾	< 290 fs			< 190 fs
Pulse duration tuning range	290 fs – 10 ps (20 ps on request)			190 fs – 10 ps (20 ps on request)
Maximum pulse energy	0.4 mJ			1 mJ	2 mJ
Repetition rate	Single-shot – 1 MHz
Pulse selection	Single-shot, pulse-on-demand, any fundamental repetition rate division
Center wavelength ³⁾	1030 nm ± 10 nm
Polarization	Linear, horizontal
Beam quality	TEM₀₀; M² < 1.2			TEM₀₀; M² < 1.3
Beam diameter ⁴⁾	2.5 mm			2.9 mm	4.3 mm
Pulse-to-pulse energy stability ⁵⁾	RMS deviation ⁶⁾ < 0.5% over 24 h
Long-term power stability	RMS deviation ⁶⁾ < 0.5% over 100 h
Beam pointing stability	< 20 µrad/°C
Pre-pulse contrast	< 1 : 1000
Post-pulse contrast	< 1 : 200

More models are available on request.
Assuming Gaussian pulse shape.
Precise wavelengths for specific models are available on request.
FWHM, measured at laser output, using maximum pulse energy.
Under stable environmental conditions.
Normalized to average pulse energy, NRMSD.

Optional extensions

Model	PH2-10W	PH2-15W	PH2-20W	PH2-SP-1mJ	PH2-SP-20W-2mJ
Oscillator output	Optional. Please contact sales@lightcon.com for more details or customized solutions
Typical output	1 – 6 W, 50 – 250 fs, ≈ 1035 nm, ≈ 76 MHz; available simultaneously
Harmonics generator	Integrated, optional
Output wavelength	515 nm, 343 nm, 257 nm, or 206 nm
Optical parametric amplifier	Integrated, optional
Tuning range	320 – 10000 nm
BiBurst mode	Tunable GHz and MHz burst with burst-in-burst capability, optional
GHz-Burst
Intra burst pulse period ¹⁾	200 ± 40 ps
Number of pulses, P ²⁾	1 … 25
MHz-Burst
Intra burst pulse period	≈ 15 ns
Number of pulses, N	1 … 9 (7 with FEC)

Custom spacing is available on request.
Maximum number of pulses in a burst depends on the laser repetition rate. Custom number of pulses are available on request.

Physical dimensions

Model	PH2-10W	PH2-15W	PH2-20W	PH2-SP-1mJ	PH2-SP-20W-2mJ
Laser head (L × W × H) ¹⁾	780 × 419 × 230 mm
Chiller (L × W × H)	590 × 484 × 267 mm
24 V DC power supply (L × W × H) ¹⁾	280 × 144 × 49 mm

Dimensions might increase for the lasers with integrated optional modules.

Environmental & Utility Requirements

Model	PH2-10W	PH2-15W	PH2-20W	PH2-SP-1mJ	PH2-SP-20W-2mJ
Operating temperature	15 – 30 ºC (air conditioning recommended)
Relative humidity	< 80% (non-condensing)
Electrical requirements	110 V AC, 50 – 60 Hz, 20 A or 220 V AC, 50 – 60 Hz, 10 A
Rated power	1000 W
Power consumption	600 W
Electrical requirements (chiller)	100 – 230 V AC, 50 – 60 Hz
Rated power (chiller)	1400 W
Power consumption (chiller)	1000 W

Performance charts

Pulse energy vs fundamental repetition rate of PHAROS

Typical spectrum of Pharos

Typical pulse duration of PHAROS

Typical M² measurement data of PHAROS

Typical beam profile of PHAROS at 200 kHz.
Near-field (a) and far-field (b)

Pulse energy vs repetition rate of PHAROS with HG

Typical PHAROS with I-OPA-TW-HP tuning curves.
Pump: 10 W, 100 µJ, 100 kHz

Typical PHAROS with I-OPA-TW-ONE tuning curves.
Pump: 10 W, 100 µJ, 100 kHz

Stability measurements

Long-term power stability of PHAROS

PHAROS lasers operating 24_7 during the years

Output power of industrial-grade PHAROS lasers operating 24/7 and current of pump diodes during the years

PHAROS output power under harsh environmental conditions

PHAROS output power and beam direction with power lock enabled, under harsh environmental conditions

Short-term CEP stability of PHAROS operating at 200 kHz repetition rate

Long-term CEP stability of PHAROS operating at 200 kHz repetition rate

Phase noise data of PHAROS oscillator locked to a 2.8 GHz RF source

PHAROS timing jitter stability over 14 h

Timing jitter stability over 14 h; PHAROS oscillator locked to a 2.8 GHz RF source

PHAROS-PH2 drawings & images

PHAROS-PH2 femtosecond laser with integrated harmonic generator

PHAROS-PH2 femtosecond laser (back view)

Drawing of PHAROS-PH2-730 housing

Drawing of PHAROS-PH2-770 housing

Drawing of PHAROS-PH2-827 housing

Drawing and output ports of PHAROS-PH2 with tunable I-OPA-TW-HP

Drawing and output ports of PHAROS-PH2 with fixed-wavelength I-OPA-FW-HP

PHAROS-PH1 drawings & images

PHAROS-PH1 femtosecond laser with integrated harmonic generator

Drawing of PHAROS-PH1 laser with integrated harmonic generator

PHAROS-PH1 femtosecond laser with fixed wavelength I-OPA-FW instaled

Output ports of PHAROS-PH1 with fixed wavelength I-OPA-FW

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

PHAROS 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

PHAROS lasers equipped with automated harmonic generators (HGs) provide a selection of fundamental (1030 nm), second (515 nm), third (343 nm), fourth (257 nm), or fifth (206 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.

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 PHAROS lasers, providing long-term stability comparable to that of the industrial-grade harmonic generators.

CEP Stabilization

PHAROS lasers can be equipped with feedback electronics for carrier-envelope phase (CEP) stabilization of the output pulses. The carrier-envelope offset (CEO) of the PHAROS oscillator is actively locked to 1/4th of the repetition rate with a < 100 mrad standard deviation. The CEP stable pulses from the synchronized amplifier have a < 350 mrad standard deviation. The CEP drift occurring inside the amplifier and the user’s setup can be compensated with an out of loop f-2f interferometer, which is a part of the complete PHAROS active CEP stabilization package.

Short-term CEP stability of PHAROS operating at 200 kHz repetition rate

Long-term CEP stability of PHAROS operating at 200 kHz repetition rate

Repetition Rate Locking

The oscillator of PHAROS laser can be customized for repetition rate locking applications. Coupled with the necessary feedback electronics, the repetition rate is synchronized to an external RF source using the two piezo stages installed inside the cavity. The repetition rate locking system can assure an integrated timing jitter of less than 200 fs for RF reference frequencies larger than 500 MHz. Continuous phase shifting is available on request.

Phase noise data of PHAROS oscillator locked to a 2.8 GHz RF source

Timing jitter stability over 14 h; PHAROS oscillator locked to a 2.8 GHz RF source

Datasheets