A team of researchers from the U.S. has developed a new fiber laser technology that allows for stimulating the emission of electrons from the tip of an optical fiber by a laser beam pulse passing through the fiber. It should be noted that according to previous researches, it is possible to use these nanotips of optical fibers as electron sources if they are stimulated by laser beam light. Nevertheless, this light had to be originated from an external source before.
To be more precise, now a light pulse from a fiber laser passing along the optical fiber can lead to the appearance of electrons instead of previous techniques. Such fiber laser technology provides more efficient nanoscale imaging and sensing applications making it possible to add electrons from previously challenging angles or locations.
For example, previously the optical fiber tips had to be tracked by laser systems, and this was considered to be more challenging technologically. Therefore, this problem limits the ability to tale images quickly and from any position. The promising solution is electron emission techniques that lowered the necessary laser beam power thanks to the proper design of the nano-scale tip of the optical fiber.
“If the optical fiber terminates in a tapered gold-coated nanotip of the correct dimensions, then the field intensity for a pulse of fiber laser light going through the fiber would demonstrate a distinct hot-spot at the tip, sufficient to stimulate electron ejection.” The fiber laser technology has been already tested on a femtosecond laser system to emit ultrashort laser beam pulses through an optical fiber with 50-nanometer-radius nanotip coated with gold film.
The test results demonstrate the appearance of controlled electron emission as the result of stimulation from the gold-coated nanotip of optical fiber. Additionally, the electric field increases by specific wavelengths of laser beam light. Herewith, a similar result can be achieved with a less powerful continuous-wave laser system, if the voltage at the tip is enhanced to compensate it.
It should be noted that this is the smallest laser beam intensity capable to cause electron emission from nanotips. Thus, nowadays it is possible to use a low-cost laser system instead of expensive ones. If you are looking for a compact highly-efficient laser system, the Optromix company is ready to manufacture it.
Optromix is a manufacturer of laser systems, optical fiber sensors, and optical monitoring systems. We develop and manufacture a broad variety of fiber lasers, high-powered fiber lasers, and other types. We offer simple laser products, as well as sophisticated fiber laser systems with unique characteristics, based on the client’s inquiry.
We manufacture laser modules using our technologies based on the advanced research work and patents of the international R&D team. Laser processes are of high quality, high precision, easily-automated manufacturing solutions that provide repeatability and flexibility. If you have any questions or would like to buy a fiber laser system, please contact us at info@optromix.com