Compact Sub-50 fs Lasers for Time-Domain Kerr-Effect Spectroscopy

Time-domain spectroscopies based on the optical Kerr effect can provide a glimpse into the ultrafast processes that dictate fundamental properties of material and biological samples. Such experiments can provide insights into molecular interactions and energy transfer processes that could facilitate improved solar cell efficiencies, better pharmaceuticals, and new photonics devices.
Until recently, this established and rather complex technique has been confined to academic research labs due to the limited availability of compact and robust laser sources with sub‑50 fs pulse
durations.

In this white paper Prof. Marcus Cicerone (Georgia Institute of Technology) and Dr. Oliver Prochnow (CEO of VALO Innovations) explore this very topic. In their study a compact, commercially available fiber‑based femtosecond laser displaying a 34 fs pulse duration is used to verify the capability of such laser sources for both optical Kerr effect (OKE) spectroscopy and Raman-induced Kerr effect spectroscopy (RIKES), thus opening new possibilities and opportunities for commercial systems based on these techniques.