Maria Chernysheva
Leibniz IPHT | Jena, Germany

“Advances and Challenges of Shortwave- and Mid-infrared Ultrafast Fibre Lasers”

Once considered a solution for various technological challenges, lasers have become essential for creating the next generation of innovative light source technologies. Exceptionally compact, highly stable, cost-effective and maintenance-free ultrafast lasers based on optical fi bres have become a workhorse for the increased diversity of applications. Particularly, ultrashort pulse fi bre lasers at short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) and mid-infrared (1.7-12 μm) spectral ranges have sparked high interest as a key instrument for various existing and emerging vital applications in areas ranging from environmental monitoring and non-invasive biological scanning technology to materials micro- and nanomachining and surgery. The potential of these ultrafast fi bre lasers is immense, yet they have not reached the maturity level required for widespread and industrial use, despite a substantial research effort over several decades. In this
presentation, I will discuss the challenges associated with the future development of ultrafast fibre lasers operating at longer wavelength ranges and provide an outlook on how to enhance generation performance.