Low noise laser system generating 26 fs pulse duration, 30 kW peak power, and tunability from 800 to 1200 nm for ultrafast spectroscopy and multiphoton microscopy

We demonstrate a novel low noise, tunable, high-peak-power, ultrafast laser system based on a SESAM-modelocked, solid-state Yb tungstate laser plus spectral broadening via a microstructured fiber followed by pulse compression. The spectral selection, tuning, and pulse compression are performed with a simple prism compressor. The spectral broadening and fiber parameters are chosen to insure low-noise operation of the tunable output. The long-term stable output pulses are tunable from 800 to 1200 nm, with a peak power up to 30 kW and pulse duration down to 26 fs. This system is attractive for variety of applications including ultrafast spectroscopy, multiphoton (TPE, SHG, THG, CARS) and multimodal microscopy, nanosurgery, nanostructuring, and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Such system is simpler, lower-cost, and much easier to use (fully turn-key) compared to a currently available solutions for near-infrared ultrashort pulses, typically a Ti:sapphire laser-pumped OPO.