Thorlabs Acquires Fiber Laser Assets From KMLabs

Thorlabs and KMLabs announced today that Thorlabs has acquired the KMLabs’ Y-Fi portfolio, a family of high average power, high repetition rate NIR/MIR ultrafast fiber lasers, OPAs, and NOPAs. Based on a patented fiber amplification technique, KMLabs’ ytterbium fiber lasers provide industry-leading short pulse durations at the microjoule level. The various models in the Y-Fi laser series are employed in a multitude of demanding ultrafast applications, including 2- and 3-photon imaging, ophthalmology, and time resolved studies in the NIR and MIR.

“I’m thrilled to add a highly talented, Boulder-based team to the Thorlabs family. The proximity to CU Boulder, JILA, and NIST provides excellent opportunities to work with these premier research institutions. Among the many applications supported by the Y-Fi lasers, the addition of the Y-Fi OPA laser allows Thorlabs to pair it with our Bergamo microscopes to offer complete 3-photon imaging solutions,” said Dr. Peter Fendel, Director of Thorlabs’ Laser Division.

“We view this as a truly great synergy between two companies. The Y-Fi laser family is unique and powerful in its ability to deliver the highest peak power in the MHz class while also being designed for ease of use and ruggedness. This is a perfect match with Thorlabs’ microscope portfolio and its laser and optics customer base. We couldn’t be more pleased to see these teams, which have already collaborated together so smoothly, now combining as part of the same great Thorlabs family,” says Dr. Kevin Fahey, CEO of KMLabs, Inc.

For more information on the Y-Fi product line acquired by Thorlabs, please contact Peter Fendel atpfendel@thorlabs.com.