VisIR

• High-quality data
• Enhanced resolution
• Reduced photobleaching
• Reliable timing stability
• Consistent performance over long experiments
• Easy integration & operation

The PicoQuant VisIR is a versatile, stand-alone high-power infrared picosecond laser platform designed for applications requiring high optical power, short optical pulses, excellent beam quality, and precise synchronization.

The system is based on a Master Oscillator Fiber Amplifier (MOFA) architecture. A gain-switched master oscillator generates infrared picosecond pulses, which are then amplified through multiple stages of fiber amplification. This approach increases the optical output power while preserving important characteristics of the seed laser, including wavelength, polarization, and pulse duration.

VisIR covers a broad infrared wavelength range. Standard configurations include 765, 775, 780, 1064, 1532, and 1550 nm, while other wavelengths such as 1030, 1560, and 1950 nm are available in specific configurations. Wavelengths between 765–780 nm and 1530–1560 nm can also be provided upon request.

One of the key advantages of VisIR is its combination of high optical power and picosecond pulse duration. Narrow-pulse versions typically provide pulses around 70 ps FWHM, while high-coherent versions provide approximately 0.5 ns pulses. This gives researchers the ability to select the appropriate temporal regime depending on whether the experiment prioritizes temporal resolution, pulse energy, coherence, or sample exposure.

For applications such as STED microscopy, the high-power VisIR-765-HP "STED" configuration is particularly notable. It provides high-power 765/766 nm pulses with excellent beam quality, making it suitable for generating the spatial beam profiles required for STED depletion. PicoQuant also identifies FLIM, FRET, FCS, fluorescence anisotropy, TRPL, and quantum optics as relevant applications.

VisIR also offers flexible synchronization. Internal repetition rates can be selected from 31.25 kHz to 80 MHz, while external TTL or NIM triggering allows operation from below 1 Hz to 80 MHz. This makes it suitable for synchronizing excitation or depletion pulses with detectors, microscopes, TCSPC systems, and other experimental equipment.

The system is designed as a compact stand-alone platform with integrated control electronics. Researchers can control repetition rate, intensity, and trigger source directly through the laser's interfaces, reducing the need for additional external electronics.

Product Type: Stand-Alone High-Power Infrared Picosecond Laser
Product Family: VisIR
Laser Architecture: Master Oscillator Fiber Amplifier (MOFA)
Output Wavelength Range: Approx. 765–1950 nm
Narrow Pulse Width: Typically ~70 ps FWHM
Broad Pulse Width: ~0.5 ns FWHM
High-Coherent Version: Available
Repetition Rate: Single Shot–80 MHz
Internal Repetition Rate: 31.25 kHz–80 MHz
External Triggering: TTL / NIM
External Trigger Range: <1 Hz–80 MHz
Average Output Power: >300 mW to >1.5 W, depending on wavelength/configuration
Spectral Width: <1 nm
Output: Collimated Free Space
Fiber Coupling: Optional
Fiber Types: MM / SM / PM-SM
Beam Profile: Gaussian, TEM₀₀
Beam Quality: M² < 1.1, typically ~1.02 for many models
Power Stability: <3% RMS over 12 h
Operating Temperature: 10–30°C
Power Supply: 100–250 VAC, 50/60 Hz
Maximum Power Consumption: 130 W
Computer Interface: USB Type-C
USB Version: USB 2.0
Serial Interface: RS232
Optional Driver Interface: Sepia PDL 828 + SEM 828

1. STED Microscopy

• Stimulated Emission Depletion Microscopy
• Super-Resolution Microscopy
• STED Imaging
• High-Resolution Fluorescence Imaging

The VisIR-765-HP "STED" was specifically designed as a depletion laser for STED microscopy. Its combination of high optical power, short pulses, and excellent beam quality supports the generation of the required depletion beam profile.

2. FLIM

• Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy
• Time-Resolved Imaging
• Fluorescence Lifetime Mapping
• Biological Imaging

The picosecond pulse output can provide the excitation source for time-resolved fluorescence lifetime measurements.

3. FRET

• Förster Resonance Energy Transfer
• Protein Interaction Studies
• Molecular Dynamics
• Fluorescence-Based Bioscience

VisIR can be synchronized with time-resolved photon detection systems for fluorescence-based FRET experiments.

4. FCS / FLCS

• Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy
• Fluorescence Lifetime Correlation Spectroscopy
• Molecular Diffusion
• Single-Molecule Studies

The high repetition rate and precise triggering capability make VisIR suitable as an excitation source for photon-counting and correlation measurements.

5. Time-Resolved Photoluminescence

• TRPL
• Semiconductor Characterization
• Nanomaterials
• Carrier Dynamics
• Exciton Dynamics
• Perovskites

The short optical pulses can be used to excite materials and measure transient photoluminescence responses.

PicoQuant specifically lists TRPL and TRPL imaging among the VisIR applications.

6. Diffuse Correlation Spectroscopy

• Diffuse Correlation Spectroscopy
• Time-Domain DCS
• Tissue Spectroscopy
• Biomedical Optics
• Blood Flow Monitoring

The ability to control pulse duration and coherence makes VisIR particularly relevant to diffuse optical measurements. PicoQuant's tunable-pulse development specifically targets time-domain diffuse correlation spectroscopy.

7. Diffuse Optical Tomography

• Diffuse Optical Tomography (DOT)
• Biomedical Imaging
• Tissue Optical Properties
• Functional Optical Imaging

The high-power infrared output can be used as an excitation source for optical measurements in highly scattering biological tissue.

8. LiDAR / Laser Ranging

• LiDAR
• Time-of-Flight
• Laser Ranging
• Remote Sensing
• Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR)

The combination of high optical power, short pulses, and repetition rates up to 80 MHz makes VisIR suitable for time-of-flight and ranging applications.

9. Quantum Optics

• Quantum Optics
• Photon Correlation
• Antibunching
• Single-Photon Experiments
• Nonlinear Optics

The pulsed output and synchronization capabilities can support experiments requiring controlled excitation and precise photon timing.

10. 3D Polymerization

• 3D Polymerization
• Two-Photon Polymerization
• Microfabrication
• 3D Microprinting
• Photonic Structures

High peak intensities from pulsed laser sources can drive nonlinear optical processes used in microfabrication and three-dimensional polymerization.

11. Fluorescence Anisotropy

• Fluorescence Anisotropy
• Polarization-Resolved Fluorescence
• Molecular Rotation
• Protein Dynamics

The polarized laser output makes VisIR suitable for polarization-sensitive fluorescence measurements.