XPulse Phases I & II: Laying the Foundation

Initial tests successfully validated the X-ray conversion efficiency and long-term stability using Amplitude’s MAGMA 25 ultrafast laser. These results marked a major step toward high-performance, laser-based medical imaging.

“Supported by the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region from the outset, XPulse has now entered its second cycle,” explains Antoine Courjaud, Product Line Manager at Amplitude. “We are developing a new laser source — 10 times more powerful than in the initial phases, in order to record images 10 times faster”

This new-generation laser will be integrated by ALPhANOV into a unique tomographic imaging system, which will then be evaluated at the Imaging Center of the University Hospital of Bordeaux.

In addition to medical imaging, the laser-driven X-ray source jointly developed with ALPhANOV through XPulse also enables advanced applications such as time-resolved X-ray Diffraction for material science (photovoltaics) or microtomography for non-destructive testing.

XPulse 2: Toward Clinical Validation

Launched in 2023 and continuing through to 2026, this second milestone aims to transform the XPulse prototype into a fully operational tomographic imaging system capable of conducting medical tests with laser-generated X-rays.

The system must demonstrate the relevance of the technology by validating four major differentiating factors in mammography:

• Improved contrast and resolution of medical images
• Reduced radiation dose delivered to the patient
• Enhanced diagnostic accuracy, with fewer false negatives and better identification of false positives
• Improved patient comfort, thanks to compression-free breast imaging

Project Funding

XPulse Phases I & II were co-funded by the European Union and the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region under the FEDER/FSE/IEJ Aquitaine programme, with a total combined funding amount of €2,398,145 (€1,337,020 for Phase I and €1,061,125 for Phase II).

XPulse 2 is now underway and is also co-funded by the European Union and the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region under the FEDER and FSE+ programme, with a total funding amount of €1,510,457.

Watch the XPulse Project Video

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We invite you to read this article Electro-optical control of polarization in femtosecond-laser written waveguides using an embedded liquid crystal cell

This scientific publication introduces a NOVEL APPROACH to embedding adjustable waveplates into FLDW optical circuits. It achieves this by incorporating a layer of liquid crystal into the waveguide. Control over the liquid crystal’s orientation via applied voltage induces bias-dependent phase retardation, effectively acting as a voltage-dependent waveplate.

Sketch of the inscription setup (/2 – half-wave plate, Pol.- polarizer, SHG – non-linear crystal for second harmonic generation).@Kim Lammers, Alessandro Alberucci, Chandroth P. Jisha, Alexander Szameit, and Stefan Nolte, “Electro-optical control of polarization in femtosecond-laser written waveguides using an embedded liquid crystal cell,” Opt. Mater. Express 14, 836-846 (2024)

The post Electro-optical control of polarization in femtosecond-laser written waveguides using an embedded liquid crystal cell appeared first on Amplitude.

// In this Episode 3 Photonics Podcast, Justine talks with Pierre-Mary Paul, VP and director of the Advanced Laser Solutions Business Unit Amplitude Laser. He explains Amplitude’s Advanced Laser Solutions business and describes the importance of our state-of-the-art solutions in several application areas. //

What is Following the Photons?
It’s Podcast focused on photonics where Justine dives deep into the fascinating world of photonics and optics. It brings you the latest news and insights from the forefront of the photonics industry. The episodes feature interviews and discussions with industry and research experts, providing valuable perspectives on the issues, technologies, and trends shaping the photonics community. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting your journey in photonics, this podcast is a go-to resource for staying informed and inspired. Tune in and stay laser-focused on the future of light-based technologies.

The post PODCAST: Interview with Pierre-Mary Paul Amplitude Laser appeared first on Amplitude.

Pierre Constant, Data Manager at Amplitude, explains “Our lasers are high-technology machines requiring strong expertise when a reparation is necessary. With CATIE, we are working on digital solutions for both facilitating the collaboration between a local technician and a remote expert, and maximizing lasers operating time. Our concern is to minimize the waist of time for our customers, and then they can go back to their project, research or production with effectiveness and efficiency.”

Pierre Constant adds “Currently, we are at the Human Centered Conception stage, prototyping the most efficient solutions for the users. And in the medium term, we’ll move on additional skills in matter of Artifical Intelligence with further image processing & enrichment.”

The post Amplitude Collaborates With CATIE appeared first on Amplitude.

By the end of year 2021, Amplitude will have a 60 Terawatt Pulsar laser installed first at DESY (Hamburg) and then at Karlsruher. This is in the frame of the ATHENA Project, research and development platform for accelerator technologies.
Developing innovative, compact particle accelerators for applications in science and medical research is the aim of the new “Accelerator Technology HElmholtz iNfrAstructure” (ATHENA) research and development platform for accelerator technologies. The platform is a collaboration of six Helmholtz centers (DESY, Jülich Research Centre, Helmholtz Centre Berlin, Helmholtz Centre Dresden-Rossendorf HZDR, KIT and GSI with the Helmholtz Institute of Jena). The Helmholtz Association is funding the project as a strategic development measure with 29.99 million euros.

The largest and most well-known particle accelerator in the world is the 27-kilometer Large Hadron Collider located at CERN in Switzerland. Scientists are using it to research the structure of matter. In addition to their major importance for fundamental research in physics, accelerators also open up many other areas of application – from production technology to medical applications, for example in tumor therapy and diagnostics. However, today’s accelerators are costly when it comes to their setup and operation. If powerful accelerators were considerably smaller, this technology could be used much more often. Therefore, another aim of researchers at KIT is to technically enable initial applications of ultra-compact accelerator systems in material and life sciences. (…) “ATHENA provides access to plasma-based accelerators for the Karlsruhe scientists. That’s ideal for accelerator research at KIT where we are pursuing the goal of developing this technology on a broad basis for society,” says the President of KIT, Professor Holger Hanselka. Read more (KIT Press Release, 2018)

This installation will expand the large family of Amplitude Lasers already present in the various German Helmhontz Centers.

Once again, Amplitude proves to be a key player, worldwide leading-manufacturer of femtosecond lasers, by contributing to go further in research and science for the greatest benefit of humankind.

The post Amplitude Supplies a 60 TeraWatt Laser to KIT in Germany appeared first on Amplitude.

“XPulse project is supported by the Region Nouvelle-Aquitaine from the start, and Amplitude is currently developing a laser 100 times more powerful, similar to the Magma 200 but 20 times faster. This new laser source will be integrated by AlphaNov to have a unique tomography system, that will then be evaluated at the imaging center of the University Hospital of Bordeaux.” explains Antoine Courjaud, Product Line Manager.
This new laser generation addresses a large range of applications such as Terahertz and XUV pulses generation for materials analysis 10 to 20 times faster than before.

See the X-Pulse movie: click here

The post Fighting breast cancer : Amplitude shares its progress within the X-Pulse project appeared first on Amplitude.

Satsuma fiber-coupled femtosecond laser

Amplitude believes in the power of collaboration and openness in the photonics industry and is looking forward to working with its new partners to bring this new technology to the market.

The post Amplitude welcomes new partners in GLOphotonics appeared first on Amplitude.

Tests have been carried out with an ultrafast laser, called MAGMA 25 manufactured by Amplitude, partner of the project.

Magma laser installed at Alphanov and the first X-ray images obtained with only 1000 shots (10 seconds of operation)

How does it work ?

> Lasers pulses are focused on a metallic element.

> They create an intense x-ray source which illuminates samples.

> The x-ray detector then records the image (just like in hospital and airports)

By using the unique characteristics of x-ray laser sources, it will bring:

> a better resolution and sensibility of the final images, so cancerous tumors can be detected earlier,

> a reduction in the dose of x-rays and the length of the procedure.

These initial tests were very successful and validated the team’s technological choices regarding the integration of this laser X-ray source into a preclinical mammographic imaging system. The latter will be developed during the second phase of the project and will be installed in the project premises recently received at the Institute of BioImaging (IBIO) at the University Hospital of Bordeaux.

The post X-Pulse Project Provides Encouraging Results for Integrating Laser Based Imaging System for Early Detection of Breast Cancer appeared first on Amplitude.

The Nobel Prize in Physics 2018 was awarded to Donna Strickland and Gerard Mourou  “for their method of generating high-intensity, ultra-short optical pulses.” Their 1986 work on Chirped Pulsed Amplification opened the way to the expansion of ultrafast lasers in Science and Industry.

See the video posted by France 24 (en English) on Nov 21st 2018

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