Sub-50 fs pulses
Up to 3x shorter than a typical Ti:Sapphire, for higher peak power at the same average power.
VALO Femtosecond Series
Sub-50 fs fiber lasers for multiphoton microscopy
Air-cooled, hermetically sealed femtosecond fiber lasers delivering 30-50 fs pulses and up to 3 W at the sample plane - no chiller, no realignment, no warm-up ritual.
- 30fs Shortest pulse duration
- 3W Max average output power
- < 2min Cold start to first image
- 0 Water cooling, fans, realignment
Built for the sample plane, not the optical table
Everything that matters for the experiment is decided where the pulse hits the sample.
GVD pre-compensation
Computer-controlled dispersion pre-compensation puts the shortest pulse at the sample plane, not at the output port.
No water, no fans
Air-cooled, hermetically sealed HTCure build. No periodic realignment, no chiller in the room.
Ready in under 2 minutes
Three cables and a cold start. No warm-up ritual before the experiment begins.
Full remote control
USB or network control with open-source drivers for Python, LabVIEW and C++.
Modular add-ons
SHG, power modulation and fiber coupling modules mount directly onto the laser chassis.
Where sub-50 fs pulses change the result
Multiphoton Microscopy
Two- and three-photon imaging of biological tissue. Shorter pulses mean brighter images, less phototoxicity and deeper penetration.
Read moreOptogenetics
High peak power enables efficient two-photon photoactivation of opsins for depth-resolved neural control without heating tissue.
Read moreNonlinear Spectroscopy
CARS, SHG microscopy, optical Kerr-effect spectroscopy and four-wave mixing, where pulse duration sets bandwidth and signal efficiency.
Wafer Inspection (SiC)
Ultrashort, high-peak-power pulses for nonlinear optical inspection of silicon carbide wafers with sub-surface sensitivity and no damage.
Two-Photon Polymerisation
High peak power and diffraction-limited beam quality for sub-diffraction 3D nano-printing and microfabrication.
Terahertz Generation
Efficient THz pulse generation for time-domain spectroscopy and imaging, enabled by sub-50 fs pulses at high average power.
Six models, 0.2 W to 3 W+
All models include computer-controlled GVD pre-compensation as standard.
| Model | Center wavelength | Pulse duration | Output power |
|---|---|---|---|
| VALO Aalto-40-0.2 | 1055 +/- 15 nm | <50 fs (typ. 40 fs) | > 0.2 W |
| VALO Aalto-40-0.5 | 1055 +/- 15 nm | <50 fs (typ. 40 fs) | > 0.5 W (typ. 0.7 W) |
| VALO Aalto-Seed Seed source | 1040 nm* | > 500 fs | > 0.1 W* |
| VALO Tidal-40-2 | 1065 +/- 20 nm | <50 fs (typ. 40 fs) | > 2 W |
| VALO Tidal-30-3 Highest peak power | 1065 +/- 20 nm | < 40 fs (typ. 30 fs) | > 3 W |
| VALO Tidal-75-1-1100 | 1100 +/- 10 nm | < 100 fs (typ. 75 fs) | > 1 W |
* Preliminary specification. Custom wavelengths and output powers are available on request.
Measured, not modelled
Representative measurement data from production units.
VALO vs Ti:Sapphire
What changes in daily lab work when the femtosecond source is a sealed fiber laser instead of a Ti:Sapphire oscillator.
| Feature | VALO Femtosecond Series | Ti:Sapphire |
|---|---|---|
| Pulse duration | 30-50 fs | 100-140 fs (typical) |
| Water cooling required | No | Yes |
| Warm-up time | < 2 minutes | 20-45 minutes |
| Manual realignment | Never | Regular maintenance |
| Footprint | Compact desktop | Large optical table |
| Remote control | Full USB / network | Limited |
| Cost of ownership | Low | High (pump laser, crystals) |
Plug-in modules, mounted directly to the chassis
Extend VALO's performance without building a second optical setup.
Power Modulation Module
Chassis-mounted module with analog and digital modulation of the output power.
- Modulation BW | up to 1 MHz
- Modes | analog & digital
Applications: Continuous power adjustment, fast beam on/off switching
SHG Module
Frequency-doubling module mounted directly to the laser, with the IR output still available.
- SHG output | 530 +/- 15 nm (550 +/- 5 nm on Tidal-75-1-1100)
- Pulse duration | <100-110 fs at SHG output
- IR access | simultaneous secondary path
Applications: Tryptophan imaging, FLIM, two-photon polymerisation, pump-probe spectroscopy
Fiber Coupling Module
Hollow-core fiber coupling optimised for pulses shorter than 40 fs.
- Fiber type | hollow-core (non-PM)
- Coupling efficiency | >75%
- Power handling | 1.0 W
Applications: Flexible beam guiding, femtosecond transmission
Published in leading journals
The VALO Femtosecond Series appears in peer-reviewed research across multiphoton microscopy, biophotonics and ultrafast spectroscopy.
- Label-free four-dimensional live imaging of immune-stromal interactions in human alveolar tissue using higher harmonic generation microscopy
- Dynamic imaging of myelin pathology in physiologically preserved human brain tissue using third harmonic generation microscopy
- Multiscale investigation of collagen structure in human skin and gel matrices using polarization resolved SHG microscopy
- Uniaxial mechanical stretch properties correlated with three-dimensional microstructure of human dermal skin
- Femtosecond Lasers Open a New Window for Protein Imaging
- Unveiling Cell Secrets with Lasers
- Simultaneous Two- and Three-Photon Imaging Enables Rapid Cancer Diagnosis
- Compact Sub-50 fs Lasers for Time-Domain Kerr-Effect Spectroscopy
- Time-lapse Imaging of Myelin Dynamics by Higher Harmonic Generation Microscopy
- New Compact Ultrafast Lasers for Simultaneous 2 and 3 Photon Microscopy
- Simultaneous Two and Three Photon Imaging for Personalized Medicine and Real-Time Treatment Optimization
- Novel Sub 50 fs Lasers for Improved Multiphoton Microscopy
Datasheets & technical documentation
Everything needed for evaluation, integration and procurement.
Product information - VALO Femtosecond Series
Product information - VALO Tidal-75-1-1100
Accessories - VALO Femtosecond Series
SHG Module datasheet
Power Modulation Module datasheet
Fiber Coupling Module datasheet
See sub-50 fs pulses at work
VALO Femtosecond Series - product overview
Sub-50 fs advantages in multiphoton microscopy
VALO Femtosecond Series: Aalto vs Tidal
Everything you'd ask before ordering
Are the VALO lasers remote controllable?
Yes, the lasers are fully remote controllable. You can easily connect the lasers to a PC or a network.
Can I use a normal beam splitter or waveplates?
For VALO lasers we strongly recommend using broadband and femtosecond-proven optics with low dispersion properties, such as our beam attenuator or optics.
Do the VALO Femtosecond Series require special cooling systems?
No. The lasers are stable and fully operational without any water cooling or fans.
Do you offer a solution for power modulation, such as an AOM?
Yes, we offer an add-on module that can be directly mounted to the VALO lasers for power modulation. Please see “Options” tab for more information.
Do you offer customized solutions for VALO Femtosecond Series?
Yes we can customize the laser to fit your needs, Please contact us at sales@hubner-photonics.com to discuss all available options.
Do you offer fiber coupling solutions for the VALO Femtosecond Series?
Yes. We offer a fiber‑coupling module that uses specialized hollow‑core fibers to minimize dispersion effects, essential for transmitting ultrashort pulses through a fiber. However, please note that these fibers are not polarization‑maintaining. For additional details, refer to the “Options” tab.
Do you offer optics for beam guiding?
Yes, we offer our broadbad, low dispersion mirrors which are proven for the very large bandwith.
Do you offer power attenuation for the VALO Femtosecond Series?
Yes, we offer a power attenuator which is optimized for the very large bandwidth and short pulse durations. Please see “Options” tab for more information.
Do you offer SHG options for the VALO Femtosecond Series?
Yes. We offer an SHG add-on option that can be directly mounted to the laser. In addition, the infrared output can still be accessed and used in a secondary beam path if required. Please see “Options” tab for more information.
Does the VALO Femtosecond Series require professional installation?
No. The setup is simple and intuitive. Even first‑time users can have the laser operational within minutes, by simply connecting the three included cables, and the device is ready to use.
How are the lasers packed for shipment?
The VALO laser comes in an aluminium box fixed to a pallet. The laser itself is protected by a foam layer.
Package dimensions: 80 cm x 60 cm x 62 cm
Is it possible to adjust the optical power?
Yes. Although VALO lasers operate at a fixed output power to ensure the highest pulse quality, we provide options for power tuning. You can adjust the delivered power using our manual broadband attenuator accessory or the available power modulation option for the VALO lasers. For additional details, refer to the “Options” and the “Accessory” tab.
Is the spectrum of the VALO Femtosecond Series tunable?
No, the VALO lasers are not tunable. You need the full spectrum to achieve the very short pulse duration
What is the warm-up time for the VALO Femtosecond Series?
The laser is ready for use in under two minutes from a cold start. It requires no warm‑up time.
Request a quote
Tell us about your setup - we'll configure the laser
Send your application and requirements and a laser specialist replies with a configured quote, typically within one working day.
- Custom wavelengths and output powers available
- Add-on modules: SHG, power modulation, fiber coupling
- Prefer email? sales@hubner-photonics.com
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