What Are Picosecond Lasers and Why Are They a Game Changer?
Picosecond lasers are ultra-short pulse lasers that emit light pulses in the range of 10⁻¹² seconds. Unlike nanosecond lasers, the incredibly short pulse duration of a picosecond pulsed laser allows it to interact with material surfaces with minimal thermal effects — a process known as “cold ablation.” This results in higher precision, less heat-affected zones (HAZ), and cleaner edges.
Picosecond Pulsed Laser: How It Works
A picosecond pulsed laser produces ultra-short bursts of light with extremely high peak power but low thermal impact. The energy is delivered so quickly that there’s not enough time for the material to heat up, melt, or deform. This makes picosecond lasers ideal for:
Micromachining with extreme precision
Cold marking of sensitive or layered materials
Selective ablation of coatings without damaging substrates
Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) for analysis
Picosecond Advantage: Key Benefits Over Traditional Lasers
The picosecond advantage lies in its unparalleled control, accuracy, and material interaction. Here’s why industries are shifting to picosecond laser systems:
| Feature | Picosecond Advantage |
|---|---|
| Ultra-short pulse duration | Prevents heat diffusion, no burning or charring |
| Minimal thermal effects | Ideal for brittle, delicate, or heat-sensitive materials |
| Sub-micron resolution | Perfect for microelectronics, semiconductors, and biomedical devices |
| High-quality finishes | Clean edges, no post-processing needed |
| Versatility | Works on metals, glass, ceramics, polymers, and even transparent materials |
Applications of Picosecond Lasers
Picosecond pulsed lasers are widely adopted across high-tech industries that demand exceptional precision and surface quality:
Medical Devices: Stent cutting, microneedle shaping, drug delivery implants
Electronics: Micro-hole drilling on PCBs, IC marking, semiconductor fabrication
Aerospace & Defense: Coating removal, sensor production, micro-welding
Luxury Goods: Watch component engraving, jewelry micro-texturing
Display Manufacturing: OLED pixel patterning, glass edge trimming
Picosecond Laser vs. Femtosecond and Nanosecond Lasers
| Parameter | Picosecond Laser | Femtosecond Laser | Nanosecond Laser |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pulse Duration | ~10⁻¹² sec | ~10⁻¹⁵ sec | ~10⁻⁹ sec |
| Precision | High | Ultra-high | Medium |
| Heat Impact | Very low | Lowest | Higher |
| Cost | Moderate | High | Low |
| Use Case | General micromachining, marking | Extreme precision | General marking, engraving |
While femtosecond lasers are more precise, picosecond lasers offer a sweet spot between performance and cost — delivering high-speed processing with excellent quality and lower maintenance demands.
Why Choose JCZ Picosecond Laser Solutions?
At JCZ, we offer world-class picosecond laser systems integrated with advanced control boards, galvanometer scan heads, and EZCAD software. Our solutions are:
Easy to integrate with fiber, UV, or green picosecond laser sources
Software-optimized for waveform shaping, PSO, and multi-layer processing
Industrial-grade for 24/7 stable operation in harsh environments
Customizable for specific wavelengths (1064nm, 532nm, 355nm) and output power (10W–100W)
Whether you’re building a medical laser workstation or a high-speed production line for mobile devices, JCZ delivers full-stack solutions to maximize your picosecond advantage.
FAQ: Picosecond Lasers
Q1: What materials can be processed with picosecond lasers?
A1: Metals (aluminum, stainless steel), semiconductors (silicon, sapphire), glass, ceramics, polymers, and coated materials.
Q2: Are picosecond lasers suitable for deep engraving?
A2: Yes, but they are best suited for shallow, high-precision tasks. For deeper cuts, nanosecond or CW lasers may be used in combination.
Q3: Is there a difference between fiber and DPSS picosecond lasers?
A3: Fiber picosecond lasers offer better beam quality and reliability, while DPSS lasers can support different wavelengths more easily (e.g., 532nm or 355nm).
Q4: Can JCZ provide an integrated marking system with picosecond lasers?
A4: Yes. We offer integrated solutions with laser source, control board, scan head, and marking software like EZCAD.
Conclusion: Harness the Picosecond Advantage
As industries evolve toward greater miniaturization and higher material standards, picosecond lasers offer the necessary speed, accuracy, and versatility. From micro-engraving to cold ablation, a picosecond pulsed laser provides unmatched results in diverse applications. With JCZ’s trusted laser ecosystem, you can confidently deploy the most reliable and advanced marking or micromachining solutions on the market.
