VisUV
High Power UV to Visible Picosecond Laser
Quantity
Key Highlights
Available as single-, dual-, or triple-wavelength configurations
Enhanced resolution
High measurement stability
Reliable long-term performance
Easy integration & operation
Flexible excitation schemes
Description
The PicoQuant VisUV is a versatile, stand-alone high-power picosecond laser platform designed for applications requiring short optical pulses, high pulse energy, and access to UV and visible wavelengths. Unlike conventional diode-based picosecond laser heads, the VisUV uses a Master Oscillator Fiber Amplifier (MOFA) architecture. A gain-switched laser diode generates picosecond pulses at 1064 nm, which are then amplified through multiple stages of fiber amplification. The amplified infrared pulses are subsequently converted to shorter wavelengths using nonlinear optical frequency-conversion techniques. This architecture enables high optical output power while maintaining the short pulse characteristics and excellent beam quality of the seed source. The VisUV platform supports a broad range of wavelengths from 266 nm in the deep UV to 590 nm in the orange spectral region. Depending on the configuration, wavelengths can be supplied individually or combined into a multi-color system with up to three parallel beam outputs. Each output has an independent shutter, allowing individual wavelength control within the same laser platform. The platform offers two fundamentally different pulse regimes. Narrow-pulse configurations provide pulses shorter than 85 ps, making them particularly suitable for time-resolved fluorescence, FLIM, FRET, FCS, and other ultrafast measurements. Broad-pulse configurations provide approximately 0.5 ns pulses, which can offer higher pulse energy and are useful for applications where optical power is more important than the shortest possible pulse duration. The VisUV also supports repetition rates from single-shot operation to 80 MHz. Internal repetition rates can be selected within the available range, while external TTL or NIM triggering can be used for synchronization with detectors, cameras, TCSPC systems, and other laboratory equipment. A major advantage of the VisUV platform is its high optical output power. Depending on the selected wavelength and configuration, average power can range from sub-mW levels to as high as 750 mW. For example, PicoQuant lists a VisUV-532-HP configuration capable of up to 750 mW with sub-nanosecond pulses.
Specifications
Product Type: Stand-Alone High-Power Picosecond Laser Product Family: VisUV Laser Architecture: Master Oscillator Fiber Amplifier (MOFA) Seed Wavelength: 1064 nm Output Wavelength Range: 266–590 nm Narrow Pulse Width: <85 ps FWHM Broad Pulse Width: Approximately 0.5 ns FWHM Repetition Rate: Single Shot–80 MHz Internal Triggering: Yes External Triggering: TTL / NIM Maximum Average Power: Up to 750 mW Spectral Width: <1 nm Output: Collimated Free-Space Fiber Coupling: Optional Beam Profile: Gaussian / TEM₀₀ Beam Quality: M² down to approximately 1.02 Beam Configuration: 1, 2, or 3 beams Individual Beam Shutters: Yes Computer Interface: USB Serial Interface: RS232 Optional Driver Integration: Sepia PDL 828 + SEM 828 Cooling: Optimized thermal management/heat dissipation Laser Type: Stand-Alone Burn-In Testing: Extensive factory burn-in
Application
1. Time-Resolved Fluorescence
Time-Resolved Fluorescence Spectroscopy
Fluorescence Decay
Fluorescence Lifetime
Photophysical Studies
Molecular Dynamics
The <85 ps narrow-pulse versions provide short excitation pulses for high temporal-resolution measurements. 2. FLIM / FRET / FCS
Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (FLIM)
Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET)
Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy (FCS)
Fluorescence Lifetime Correlation Spectroscopy (FLCS)
2fFCS
These applications benefit from short, stable excitation pulses and flexible triggering. 3. STED Microscopy
Stimulated Emission Depletion Microscopy
Super-Resolution Microscopy
Fluorescence Depletion
High-Resolution Biological Imaging
The high optical power available from selected VisUV configurations makes the platform suitable for demanding microscopy applications where high excitation or depletion intensity is required. 4. TRPL
Time-Resolved Photoluminescence
Semiconductor Characterization
Carrier Dynamics
Exciton Dynamics
Nanomaterials
Perovskites
The short pulses provide controlled excitation for measuring photoluminescence decay and other transient optical phenomena. 5. Quantum Optics
Quantum Optics
Photon Correlation
Antibunching
Entangled Photon Generation
Single-Photon Experiments
The high-power picosecond output can be useful for nonlinear optical processes and quantum-light experiments. PicoQuant has specifically developed a 488 nm high-power VisUV configuration for entangled photon generation. 6. LIDAR / Ranging / SLR
LiDAR
Time-of-Flight Measurement
Laser Ranging
Remote Sensing
Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR)
The combination of high optical power, short pulses, and repetition rates up to 80 MHz makes selected VisUV configurations suitable for ranging applications. 7. Laser Cutting & Ablation
Laser Ablation
Micro-Machining
Precision Material Processing
Surface Processing
Laser Cutting
Broad-pulse and high-power configurations can deliver significantly greater pulse energy than conventional low-power picosecond diode sources. 8. 3D Polymerization
3D Polymerization
Two-Photon Polymerization
Microfabrication
3D Microprinting
Photonic Structures
High peak intensities from short pulses can support nonlinear optical processes such as multiphoton polymerization. 9. Biochemical Analytics
Biochemical Analysis
Protein Spectroscopy
Fluorescence-Based Analysis
UV Spectroscopy
Time-Resolved Biochemistry
The UV wavelength options, particularly 280 and 295 nm, are useful for spectroscopic investigations of biomolecules. PicoQuant has published application work demonstrating the use of VisUV at 280 nm for spectroscopy. 10. Fluorescence Anisotropy
Fluorescence Anisotropy
Polarization-Resolved Fluorescence
Molecular Rotation
Protein Dynamics
The linearly polarized output is suitable for polarization-sensitive fluorescence measurements. 11. Singlet Oxygen
Singlet Oxygen Detection
Photodynamic Research
Photosensitizer Studies
Reactive Oxygen Species Research
Selected UV/visible wavelengths can be used to excite photosensitizers in studies involving singlet oxygen generation.


