Portable and efficient wideband laser will drive innovation in numerous markets
How will new supercontinuum generation technology drive disruption in a wide range of markets? In this interview with both the CEO and CTO of startup SuperLight Photonics we discover how their product will impact fields such as Spectroscopy, Bio-Medical imaging, Hyperspectrometry and many others. Their innovative product is a small, lightweight, and portable alternative to the bulky, power-hungry, and expensive wideband lasers and is, simply put, a superior ‘light source’. In this article, we discover why their technology will revolutionize applications in industrial and medical imaging, detection, measurement and spectrometry.
“Let me quickly explain the idea of superlight photonics. It's simple if you understand the difference between black-and-white and color TV. Knowing how big of a change it was, moving from black-and-white to color, helps you see how groundbreaking Haider's invention will be for the laser market.” – Cees Links, CEO of SuperLight Photonics
Innovative approach to supercontinuum generation
Links is referring to SuperLight Photonics CTO Haider Zia who had the insight that led to the founding of the company in November 2022. As a postdoctoral researcher at the Universiteit Twente, Zia had a unique insight that led to the development of a low-power supercontinuum laser:
“My PhD was in nonlinear physics, and during my research, I focused on working with fiber lasers and conducting nonlinear simulations in supercontinuum generation. This involved examining optical rogue waves, shock formations, and their role in driving the supercontinuum. Generating a supercontinuum is challenging; it requires combining various technologies and a significant amount of power, though the process is well-known. However, one day, while on a train to Hamburg, I started pondering a different approach: How can I generate a supercontinuum without relying on conventional technology?
It was a thought experiment, but I ended up having an important insight: we should be able to develop technology that will require much less power and that has a much smaller footprint. Instead of, in essence, a box weighing 10 to 30 kilograms, we could build something that weighs less than a kilo and can run on batteries. And the quality of the spectrum would be superior to anything available before.
After that insight, of course, I did the hard work of implementing the idea. Coming up with the analytical expressions and the mathematical proofs before moving on to simulations and eventually the experimental system to prove it to the world. I started with off-the-shelf fiber lasers that could not be used to generate a supercontinuum using conventional methods and showed that I was able to do it. And not only that, it generated a spectrum that was not only highly unusual for these lasers, but a good spectrum that could compete with the more exotic photonic crystal fibers or highly nonlinear fibers. These results were published in a high-end journal and allowed us to receive funding from the Dutch government to further develop and proof the concept and eventually be awarded the patent.”
Disruption
"What’s the catch?" Links calls out. "That’s the question people often ask us. If it's smaller, uses less power, and generates a better spectrum than traditional solutions, there must be a catch, right? But the crazy thing is, there isn't one. That's why this technology is so disruptive—it leapfrogs other methods."
Cees Links, a seasoned technology expert and one of the 'fathers of WiFi,' collaborated directly with Steve Jobs at Apple Computer on a deal in 1999. This partnership sparked the growth of the wireless LAN industry. Investors in SuperLight Photonics introduced Links to Zia, who quickly recognized the potential of the new technology. Convinced of its disruptiveness, he eagerly accepted the role of CEO.
“As I said earlier, if you first go from black-and-white to color, no one wants to go back. And that’s what this technology will do for people. Just like what happened with WiFi when everyone said ‘why do we need wireless?”, this technology is just as disruptive and our team will probably encounter the same challenges that we did back then. Our job is to convince the market that the days of black-and-white TV are over.”
Applications
SuperLight Photonics’ scalable, efficient platform technology is the foundation for creating a wide range of photonic applications. In our conversation, Links list several opportunities where their technology can have a huge impact:
“Optical coherence tomography (OCT) for, for example, endoscopy, would benefit greatly from our technology. Here, you would literally go from black-and-white to color and it would help accurately identify and assess a tumor. The device becomes far more user-friendly (portable), and interpreting the results is easier due to the richer information obtained from the procedure.
Spectroscopy is another area ripe for innovation with our platform. It has a broad spectrum of applications, from gas detection to drug identification. Hyperspectrometry is yet another field where our product can swiftly and effectively determine the quality of materials or the output of a production process.
There are numerous fields that could benefit from our technology. Our challenge is to help companies recognize their potential. Just as Haider pondered, 'What if we could generate a supercontinuum in a new way?', we need people to imagine the possibilities. What if their applications could be made portable? What would the impact be if we switched from narrow-band to wide-band lasers, moving from black-and-white to color vision in our processes?
To which Zia adds:
“In addition to bringing our product to market, we are also working to expand the spectrum of our platform. Currently, we are focused on near-infrared but the technology can just as easily generate the visible or the far-infrared spectrum. And with the every-increasing number of applications that work with the visible spectrum that will open the door for many more opportunities.”
SuperLight Photonics mission
Why did Haider Zia decide to move from academic research to become an entrepreneur? The ambitious scientist has a clear goal in mind for his technology and its impact on the world:
“During my research I got, basically, so invested in the technology itself that I wanted to see this through and have an impact on people’s everyday lives. If my technology ends up in a portable device that detects cancer more efficiently or is used to quickly and accurately detect illicit substances so these can be taken off the streets, I will have achieved my goal. Some might see it as naïve, but it’s what drove me to continue in the entrepreneurial spirit of it. And only when it’s fully developed will I move on to the next idea, hopefully also something that benefits others.”
Intrigued by the product and technology of SuperLight Photonics, or curious about how to integrate it into your application? Laser 2000 Benelux offered to be one of the sales partners and is eager to share more about the possibilities and assist you in taking the first steps. Contact us at pkramer@laser2000.nl or call +31-297-266191 for more information.
