Moglabs MENHIR-1550 All-in-One Stabilized Femtosecond Fiber Laser
| Brand | Moglabs |
|---|---|
| Model | MENHIR-1550 |
| Wavelength | 1560 ± 10 nm |
| Repetition Rate | Up to 2.5 GHz (standard options: 250/500 MHz, 1/1.25/2/2.5 GHz |
| Pulse Width | ≤200 fs (transform-limited) |
| Average Power | ≥50 mW (up to 2 W with optional variant) |
| Pulse Energy | ≥0.05 nJ (up to 1 nJ) |
| Spectral Bandwidth | ≥12.5 nm (3 dB) |
| Beam Quality | TEM₀₀, M² ≤ 1.05 |
| Polarization | Linear (PER ≥ 23 dB) |
| Amplitude Noise | ≤0.1% RMS (24 h) |
| Timing Jitter | ≤30 fs (1 kHz – 10 MHz) |
| Cooling | Passive air conduction |
| Warm-up Time | ≤10 s (cold start) |
| Dimensions | 240 × 160 × 89 mm |
| Weight | 5 kg |
| Power Supply | DC 5 V / 2 A or DC 24 V / 2 A |
| Max. Power Consumption | ≤10 W (standard), ≤50 W (high-power option) |
| Output | Polarization-maintaining fiber (FC/APC) or free-space collimated beam |
Overview
The Moglabs MENHIR-1550 is an all-in-one, passively stabilized femtosecond fiber laser engineered for metrology-grade reliability in demanding photonics applications. Based on a monolithic, polarization-maintaining solid-state cavity architecture, it employs soliton mode-locking in an erbium-doped gain medium to generate transform-limited pulses at 1560 nm. Its proprietary cavity design enables intrinsic repetition rate stability up to 2.5 GHz — a critical specification for optical frequency comb generation, photonic-assisted microwave synthesis, and time-resolved metrology. Unlike conventional laboratory lasers requiring external controllers, RF synchronization modules, or active water cooling, the MENHIR-1550 integrates the oscillator, driver electronics, thermal management, and digital interface into a single compact chassis. It operates continuously (7×24) without manual intervention, achieving cold-start thermal stabilization in under 10 seconds and maintaining sub-30 fs integrated timing jitter over 1 kHz–10 MHz bandwidth — performance validated per IEEE Std 1139 and traceable to NIST-recommended measurement protocols.
Key Features
- Self-contained architecture: laser head, control logic, communication interface, and passive conduction cooling fully integrated — no external controller or chiller required
- Ultra-low phase noise operation: free-running timing jitter ≤30 fs (1 kHz–10 MHz), enabling direct use in optical clock distribution and asynchronous sampling systems
- Transform-limited pulse output: ≤200 fs duration with near-Fourier-limited spectral phase, confirmed via frequency-resolved optical gating (FROG) or spectral interferometry
- Industrial-grade robustness: sealed enclosure rated for continuous operation from +5 °C to +45 °C; no moving parts or alignment-sensitive optics
- Flexible repetition rate selection: factory-configured options at 250 MHz, 500 MHz, 1 GHz, 1.25 GHz, 2 GHz, and 2.5 GHz; custom frequencies available upon request
- PZT-based fast cavity length actuation: enables active feedback locking to external references (e.g., ultra-stable cavities or RF synthesizers) via analog voltage input
- User-accessible digital interfaces: native support for USB, RS-232, Ethernet, and CAN bus — compatible with LabVIEW, Python (PySerial/Socket), and MATLAB instrument control toolboxes
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The MENHIR-1550 is designed for integration into ISO/IEC 17025-accredited calibration laboratories and industrial R&D environments where long-term stability and auditability are essential. Its passive thermal design eliminates fluidic interfaces, satisfying IEC 61000-6-2/6-4 immunity and emission requirements for Class A equipment. The laser complies with FDA 21 CFR Part 1040.10 (laser product safety) and carries CE marking per EN 60825-1:2014. For GMP/GLP workflows, firmware supports timestamped event logging (power-on, lock status, alarm triggers) with configurable retention — meeting ALCOA+ principles for data integrity. While not certified to IEC 62304, its embedded control software follows DO-178B-level deterministic execution patterns, ensuring reproducible behavior across firmware revisions.
Software & Data Management
Moglabs provides the MENHIR Control Suite — a cross-platform application (Windows/macOS/Linux) supporting real-time monitoring of output power, repetition rate deviation, internal temperature, and lock status. All parameters are accessible via SCPI-compliant ASCII commands over any supported interface, enabling seamless integration into automated test systems. The suite includes built-in tools for jitter spectral density analysis (using Welch’s method), amplitude noise histogramming, and long-term drift trending (≥72 h). Configuration files are stored in human-readable JSON format, facilitating version control and audit trail reconstruction. Firmware updates retain user-defined settings and support signed binary verification to prevent unauthorized modification — a requirement for FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliance when used in regulated analytical workflows.
Applications
- Optical frequency combs: Direct use as a carrier-envelope-phase (CEP)-unstable but repetition-rate-stable comb source for dual-comb spectroscopy and absolute distance metrology
- Photonic microwave generation: Low-phase-noise RF signal synthesis via harmonic detection of the optical pulse train, supporting radar and 5G/6G reference distribution
- Time-of-flight LiDAR: High-repetition-rate seeding for coherent amplification chains targeting sub-100 fs temporal resolution
- THz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS): Pump-probe excitation with <200 fs pulses for broadband THz generation in ZnTe or DAST crystals
- Digital photonics: Optical sampling oscilloscopes and photonic analog-to-digital converters requiring low-jitter, high-duty-cycle pulse trains
- Quantum optics: Synchronization of trapped-ion or superconducting qubit experiments requiring precise, scalable optical triggers
FAQ
Does the MENHIR-1550 require external cooling or water circulation?
No. It uses passive conduction cooling through its aluminum chassis and requires only ambient airflow — no fans, chillers, or liquid loops are needed.
Can the repetition rate be tuned in real time during operation?
The standard model supports fixed-frequency operation. Fine tuning (<±100 kHz) is possible via the PZT port under external feedback; continuous wide-range tuning requires custom firmware and cavity redesign.
Is the laser compliant with FDA or CE regulatory frameworks?
Yes. It meets EN 60825-1:2014 (Class 1M) and carries CE marking. Full compliance documentation, including test reports and risk analysis, is provided with each unit.
What is the expected lifetime of the gain fiber and pump diodes?
Based on accelerated life testing per Telcordia GR-468-CORE, the erbium-doped fiber and 980 nm pump diodes are rated for >50,000 hours MTBF under continuous operation at nominal power.
Can the MENHIR-1550 be synchronized to an external 10 MHz reference?
Yes — using the analog modulation input and optional phase-locked loop (PLL) add-on board, users can achieve sub-10 fs residual jitter relative to a high-stability OCXO or atomic reference.
