Spark Lasers DIADEM 1300 High-Energy Femtosecond Fiber Laser at 1300 nm

Overview

The Spark Lasers DIADEM 1300 is a high-energy, all-fiber femtosecond laser system engineered specifically for advanced nonlinear optical applications requiring deep-tissue penetration and precise multiphoton excitation. Operating at a center wavelength of 1300 nm, it leverages the reduced scattering and minimized absorption of biological tissue in the short-wave infrared (SWIR) window—enabling superior imaging depth in three-photon microscopy (3PM) and high-fidelity optogenetic stimulation with minimal photodamage. Unlike conventional Ti:sapphire or OPO-based sources, the DIADEM 1300 delivers exceptional pulse-to-pulse stability and long-term power consistency without alignment sensitivity, thanks to its monolithic fiber architecture and integrated dispersion management. Its compact footprint (534 × 342 × 195 mm³) and air-cooled design eliminate the need for external chillers or optical tables—making it suitable for integration into commercial and custom-built multiphoton imaging platforms, including upright and inverted microscopes with limited bench space.

Key Features

• High single-pulse energy up to 1 µJ at 1300 nm—optimized for efficient three-photon excitation of fluorescent indicators (e.g., GCaMP, tdTomato) and opsins (e.g., ChRmine, ChroME)
• Sub-150 fs pulse duration with transform-limited spectral phase—ensuring maximal peak intensity and minimal temporal walk-off in dispersive media
• Flexible repetition rate from single-shot to 2 MHz—supporting both high-speed volumetric imaging and low-duty-cycle stimulation protocols
• Analog + digital pulse energy control with >1 MHz modulation bandwidth—enabling real-time intensity shaping for adaptive illumination and closed-loop optogenetics
• Integrated high-speed TTL synchronization output—precisely timed to pulse emission for seamless coordination with scanning mirrors, cameras, and electrophysiology hardware
• Modular platform architecture—supports field-upgradable options including dual-wavelength operation (1300/1030 nm), 1700 nm extension, and water-cooling for sustained >2 MHz operation

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The DIADEM 1300 is designed for use in regulated life science research environments. Its stable output and deterministic pulse characteristics support reproducible experimental outcomes across diverse biological preparations—including acute brain slices, in vivo mouse cortex, zebrafish larvae, and organoids. The laser complies with IEC 60825-1:2014 Class 4 laser safety standards, and its control interface supports audit-ready logging when integrated with laboratory information management systems (LIMS). While not certified for clinical use, the system meets essential requirements for GLP-compliant preclinical imaging studies. All firmware and communication protocols adhere to IEEE 11073-10201 (medical device interoperability) and are compatible with common lab automation frameworks (e.g., LabVIEW, Python via PySerial/TCP sockets).

Software & Data Management

The DIADEM 1300 is controlled via a vendor-provided Windows/Linux-compatible GUI and a comprehensive API (C/C++, Python, MATLAB bindings). Remote operation is enabled through standardized TCP/IP and RS232 protocols, allowing integration into automated workflows and centralized instrument management systems. Pulse energy logs, temperature telemetry, and operational status are timestamped and exportable in CSV/JSON formats—facilitating traceability in longitudinal experiments. The system supports FDA 21 CFR Part 11–compliant electronic signatures and audit trails when deployed with validated third-party LIMS or ELN solutions. No proprietary runtime or dongle is required; all drivers are open-source distributable under MIT license.

Applications

• Three-photon fluorescence microscopy for cortical layer-resolved calcium imaging beyond 1 mm depth in mammalian brain tissue
• Deep-brain optogenetic neuromodulation with cell-type-specific opsins activated selectively at 1300 nm
• Nonlinear spectroscopy and coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) in lipid-rich tissues
• Pump-probe studies of ultrafast carrier dynamics in 2D materials and perovskites
• Seed source for synchronized optical parametric amplifiers (OPAs) targeting mid-IR generation
• Time-resolved photoacoustic tomography requiring high peak-power SWIR pulses

FAQ

Is the DIADEM 1300 compatible with standard microscope scan engines?
Yes—it provides TTL-sync output with jitter <100 ps and supports galvo/resonant mirror triggering via user-configurable delay offsets.
Can pulse energy be modulated during acquisition without mechanical attenuation?
Yes—integrated analog voltage input enables continuous, linear energy scaling from 10% to 100% of max pulse energy with sub-microsecond response time.
What is the beam quality specification (M²) and pointing stability?
M² < 1.1 (typical); angular drift <5 µrad over 8 hours at constant ambient temperature.
Does the system require periodic realignment or maintenance by qualified service personnel?
No—being an all-fiber, alignment-free platform, it requires only routine cleaning of output collimator optics and annual calibration verification.
Is remote diagnostics and firmware update supported over network connection?
Yes—secure SSH access and web-based diagnostic dashboard are available; firmware updates are delivered as signed binary packages with version rollback capability.