Pulsed & Ultrashort-Pulse Lasers
Deliver Energy with Precision.
Some applications require high peak power, precisely controlled energy delivery or time scales that continuous-wave lasers cannot provide.
Pulsed laser technologies from nanoseconds to picoseconds and femtoseconds enable precision processing, advanced measurement and scientific applications with very different interactions between light and matter.
How Short Does the Pulse Need to Be?
Pulse Duration Changes the Interaction
Choosing between nanosecond, picosecond and femtosecond technology is one of the most important decisions in a pulsed laser application.
Shorter pulses concentrate energy into shorter time periods, creating high peak powers and changing how energy interacts with the material or measurement process. Ultrashort pulses can enable highly precise energy delivery with reduced thermal effects compared with longer-pulse technologies.
Nanosecond
Suitable where pulsed energy and robust processing are required without the need for ultrashort pulse durations.
Picosecond
Shorter interaction times enable increasingly precise processes with reduced thermal influence.
Femtosecond
Ultrashort pulses provide extremely high peak powers and highly localized energy delivery for demanding processing and scientific applications.
Find the Right Pulsed Laser
From Precision Processing to Ultrafast Science
Pulse duration alone does not determine the right source.
The complete application should be evaluated based on:
Pulse Duration • Pulse Energy • Peak Power • Repetition Rate • Average Power • Wavelength • Beam Characteristics • Integration Requirements
Typical Applications
Precision Material Processing
Micromachining, surface structuring, thin-film processing, semiconductor manufacturing and precision drilling or cutting.
Spectroscopy & Analytics
Time-resolved and nonlinear spectroscopy, fluorescence lifetime measurements and pump-probe experiments.
Imaging & Microscopy
Multiphoton microscopy, high-resolution imaging and advanced fluorescence techniques.
Scientific Research
Ultrafast physics, quantum optics, optical metrology and laser-matter interaction studies.
More Than the Laser Source
Pulsed and ultrashort-pulse applications often depend on the interaction between the laser, optics, beam delivery, scanning, detection and measurement technologies.
Considering these elements early can reduce integration risks and help optimise the complete application rather than the laser source in isolation.
Why Laser 2000
Explore Related Light Source Technologies
Light Sources for Imaging
Controlled illumination for machine vision, scientific imaging and inspection applications.
LED Illumination for Analytics
LED-based illumination and excitation for analytical, scientific and photochemical applications.
Spectroscopy Lamps & Light Sources
Light sources for spectroscopy, optical characterization, calibration and analytical measurements.
Solid-State & Stabilized CW Lasers
Continuous-wave laser sources for scientific, analytical, industrial and OEM applications.
Line Lasers
Industrial line laser solutions for 3D inspection, shape measurement and non-contact guidance.
Laser & Light Sources
Explore our broad portfolio of light source technologies across UV, VIS, NIR and SWIR.
Related Content
Lidar / Time-of-Flight
LiDAR & Time-of-Flight Seeing Distance. Making Decisions. Whether enabling autonomous systems, monitoring infrastructure or measuring complex environments, LiDAR and Time-of-Flight (ToF) technologies depend on high-performance laser sources to deliver the speed, range and resolution their applications demand. Laser 2000 helps customers develop high-performance LiDAR and ToF solutions by selecting the right laser technology for their
Microscopy Imaging
Multiphoton Microscopy Two-Photon & Three-Photon Imaging for Deeper Insight Imaging deep inside biological tissue requires more than high resolution. Excitation wavelength, pulse characteristics, optical design, scanning and detection all influence how deeply you can image—and how much useful signal you can collect without unnecessarily affecting the sample. Two-photon (2P) and three-photon (3P) microscopy use ultrafast
Raman Spectroscopy
Raman Spectroscopy Every Material Has a Fingerprint Understanding the composition of a material without altering or destroying it is a key requirement in research, quality control and process monitoring. Laser 2000 helps customers develop reliable Raman solutions by selecting the optimum laser source and optical configuration for their specific application. Connecting Photonics for Molecular Insight.
Holographic imaging
Holographic Imaging Seeing More Than Conventional Imaging Conventional cameras capture light intensity. Holographic imaging captures both intensity and phase, enabling quantitative 3D measurement, surface analysis and microscopy beyond the limits of standard optical systems. Laser 2000 helps customers develop holographic imaging solutions for research, life sciences, metrology and industrial inspection. Connecting Photonics for Advanced Imaging.
Material Processing
Material Processing Precision Starts With the Right Pulse From microelectronics and medical devices to glass, ceramics and advanced materials, modern manufacturing demands precision that conventional tools cannot achieve. Laser 2000 helps customers identify the right laser solution for precision material processing — from ultrafast ablation to controlled welding and surface structuring. Connecting Photonics for Precision
Laser
Laser Solutions Light That Enables Innovation Lasers are at the heart of many of today’s most advanced photonics applications. Whether processing materials with micrometre precision, analysing chemical compositions, imaging biological tissue or measuring distances in real time, application performance begins with selecting the right laser. Choosing the optimum wavelength, pulse duration, output power and beam
Photonics technology in Horticulture
Photonics technology in Horticulture Precision Begins Long Before Production Horticulture is the science of growing plants for food and vital to feed a rising global population. Photonics technology is a key driver of efficiency in horticulture, enabling precise lighting, monitoring, and control systems that optimize plant growth, reduce resource use, and improve crop quality. Key
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I choose nanosecond, picosecond or femtosecond technology?
Shorter pulses concentrate energy into shorter time periods, reducing thermal effects and enabling more precise energy delivery. Our experts help evaluate which pulse duration fits your process or measurement.
Is peak power or average power more important for my application?
Peak power and average power affect applications differently—peak power drives nonlinear and material interaction effects, while average power relates to overall throughput. Our experts help determine which matters most for your application.
Does the laser need to be considered together with the rest of the optical system?
Yes. Pulsed and ultrashort-pulse applications often depend on the interaction between the laser, optics, beam delivery, scanning and detection technologies. Considering these early can reduce integration risk.
Need the Right Pulse for Your Application?
Tell us what you need the laser to achieve. Our Photonics Advisors can help evaluate pulse duration, wavelength, energy, repetition rate and integration requirements.