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
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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.