A hybrid laser printing (HLP) technology that utilizes ultrafast laser in sequential additive-subtractive modes to create 3D hydrogel constructs. The approach involves the synergistic use of additive crosslinking and subtractive ablation processes that are conventionally mutually exclusive. HLP can be operated at virtually any penetration depth and allow fabrication of multi-layer hydrogel constructs at micrometer resolution. HLP was used to print ready-to-use functional chips using commonly used hydrogels for potential cellular communication and migration applications. HLP was also found to be compatible with in situ printing of cell-laden hydrogel constructs. HLP makes shaping of soft hydrogels into 3D multi scale functional devices possible.

A hybrid laser printing (HLP) technology that utilizes ultrafast laser in sequential additive-subtractive modes to create 3D hydrogel constructs. The approach involves the synergistic use of additive crosslinking and subtractive ablation processes that are conventionally mutually exclusive. HLP can be operated at virtually any penetration depth and allow fabrication of multi-layer hydrogel constructs at micrometer resolution. HLP was used to print ready-to-use functional chips using commonly used hydrogels for potential cellular communication and migration applications. HLP was also found to be compatible with in situ printing of cell-laden hydrogel constructs. HLP makes shaping of soft hydrogels into 3D multi scale functional devices possible.

Disclosed is a method of performing a measurement in an inspection apparatus, and an associated inspection apparatus and HHG source. The method comprises configuring one or more controllable characteristics of at least one driving laser pulse of a high harmonic generation radiation source to control the output emission spectrum of illumination radiation provided by the high harmonic generation radiation source; and illuminating a target structure with said illuminating radiation. The method may comprise configuring the driving laser pulse so that the output emission spectrum comprises a plurality of discrete harmonic peaks. Alternatively the method may comprise using a plurality of driving laser pulses of different wavelengths such that the output emission spectrum is substantially monochromatic.

Disclosed is a method of performing a measurement in an inspection apparatus, and an associated inspection apparatus and HHG source. The method comprises configuring one or more controllable characteristics of at least one driving laser pulse of a high harmonic generation radiation source to control the output emission spectrum of illumination radiation provided by the high harmonic generation radiation source; and illuminating a target structure with said illuminating radiation. The method may comprise configuring the driving laser pulse so that the output emission spectrum comprises a plurality of discrete harmonic peaks. Alternatively the method may comprise using a plurality of driving laser pulses of different wavelengths such that the output emission spectrum is substantially monochromatic.

An optical response measuring device is provided with a light source, first and second wavelength conversion elements, and a light intensity sensor array. The light source generates a pair of light beams including light beams of first and second wavelengths. The first wavelength conversion element generates measurement light of a wavelength whose phase is maintained with relative to the pair of light beams incident thereon. The measurement light is irradiated to an object for measurement. The detected light is then made incident on the second wavelength conversion element. Reference light carries the phase of the pair of light beams and light for which the phase is to be determined in the detection light, from which the second wavelength conversion element generates modulated reference light. The modulated reference light is modulated to have first and second local intensities, which are then measured by the light intensity sensor array.

An optical response measuring device is provided with a light source, first and second wavelength conversion elements, and a light intensity sensor array. The light source generates a pair of light beams including light beams of first and second wavelengths. The first wavelength conversion element generates measurement light of a wavelength whose phase is maintained with relative to the pair of light beams incident thereon. The measurement light is irradiated to an object for measurement. The detected light is then made incident on the second wavelength conversion element. Reference light carries the phase of the pair of light beams and light for which the phase is to be determined in the detection light, from which the second wavelength conversion element generates modulated reference light. The modulated reference light is modulated to have first and second local intensities, which are then measured by the light intensity sensor array.

The invention relates to a device comprising: a laser source emitting a first beam with a central wavelength λ.sub.1 lying between 1010 nm and 1050 nm, a spectral supercontinuum generator downstream of the laser source, generating a second beam with a central wavelength λ.sub.2 lying between 1670 nm and 1730 nm from a part of the first beam, an optical parametric amplification system downstream of the spectral supercontinuum generator, generating a third beam with a central wavelength λ.sub.3 lying between 2540 nm and 2690 nm from at least a part of the second beam and a part of the first beam, and a second harmonic generator downstream of the optical parametric amplification system, the second harmonic generator generating a fourth beam with a central wavelength λ.sub.4 lying between 1270 nm and 1345 nm from at least a part of the third beam.

A broad line red light generator is configured with a single mode (SM) pulsed ytterbium (“Yb”) fiber laser pump source outputting pump light in a fundamental mode (“FM”) at a pump wavelength which is selected from a 1030-1120 nm wavelength range. The disclosed generator further includes a SM fiber Raman converter spliced to an output of the Yb fiber laser pump source. The Raman converter induces an “n” order frequency Stokes shift of the pump light to output the pump light at a Raman-shifted wavelength within 1220 and 1300 nm wavelength range with a broad spectral line of at least 10 nm. The disclosed light generator further has a single pass second harmonic generator (“SHG”) with a lithium triborate (“LBO”) nonlinear optical crystal having a spectral acceptance linewidth which is sufficient to cover the broad spectral line of the pump light. The SHG generates a SM pulsed broad-line red light with a broad spectral line of at least 4 nm.

A broad line red light generator is configured with a single mode (SM) pulsed ytterbium (“Yb”) fiber laser pump source outputting pump light in a fundamental mode (“FM”) at a pump wavelength which is selected from a 1030-1120 nm wavelength range. The disclosed generator further includes a SM fiber Raman converter spliced to an output of the Yb fiber laser pump source. The Raman converter induces an “n” order frequency Stokes shift of the pump light to output the pump light at a Raman-shifted wavelength within 1220 and 1300 nm wavelength range with a broad spectral line of at least 10 nm. The disclosed light generator further has a single pass second harmonic generator (“SHG”) with a lithium triborate (“LBO”) nonlinear optical crystal having a spectral acceptance linewidth which is sufficient to cover the broad spectral line of the pump light. The SHG generates a SM pulsed broad-line red light with a broad spectral line of at least 4 nm.

Embodiments of the disclosure provide an apparatus for emitting laser light and a system and method for detecting laser light returned from an object. The system includes a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter includes one or more laser sources, at least one of the laser sources configured to provide a respective native laser beam having a wavelength above 1,100 nm. The transmitter also includes a wavelength converter configured to receive the native laser beams provided by the laser sources and convert the native laser beams into a converted laser beam having a wavelength below 1,100 nm. The transmitter further includes a scanner configured to emit the converted laser beam to the object in a first direction. The receiver is configured to detect a returned laser beam having a wavelength below 1,100 nm and returned from the object in a second direction.