SL-Pico

410–2400 nm picosecond supercontinuum white-light source with up to 8 W average power and fixed or variable repetition-rate options up to 200 MHz.

Key Features:

  • Broadband visible-to-SWIR output from 410–2400 nm, depending on configuration
  • Up to 8 W total avg. power w/ VIS output options by config.
  • Fixed PRR @ 5, 10, 20, 40, or 80 MHz | Variable PRR from 10 kHz to 40 or 200 MHz
  • ps pulse-width options: <50 ps & <300 ps models
  • Stable, plug-and-play source for spectroscopy, microscopy, imaging, OCT, inspection
  • Optional wavelength-selector for tunable VIS, IR, SWIR, or custom spectral ranges

Choose from seven base SL-Pico configurations w/ various wavelength ranges, output powers, pulse widths, fixed or variable rep-rate options.

If you do not see the exact configuration you need, contact RPMC for help matching the model to your application.

POPULAR CONFIGURATIONS:

Picture
Part Number
Part Description
Datasheet
 
sleek modern dpss laser housing, simple cubic design, black and red with optical fiber & connector SL10

Supercontinuum laser, 450-2400 nm white output, 1 W total avg. power (100 mW – VIS), <300 ps pulse width, 5 MHz rep rate

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sleek modern dpss laser housing, simple cubic design, black and red with optical fiber & connector SLM10

Supercontinuum laser, 410-2400 nm white output, 1 W total avg. power (250 mW – VIS), <50 ps pulse width, 10 MHz rep rate

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sleek modern dpss laser housing, simple cubic design, black and red with optical fiber & connector SLM20

Supercontinuum laser, 410-2400 nm white output, 2 W total avg. power (500 mW – VIS), <50 ps pulse width, 20 MHz rep rate

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sleek modern dpss laser housing, simple cubic design, black and red with optical fiber & connector SLM40

Supercontinuum laser, 410-2400 nm white output, 4 W total avg. power (1 W – VIS), <50 ps pulse width, 40 MHz rep rate

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sleek modern dpss laser housing, simple cubic design, black and red with optical fiber & connector SLM35V

Supercontinuum laser, 410-2400 nm white output, 3.5 W total avg. power (1 W – VIS), <50 ps pulse width, 10 kHz – 40 MHz rep rate (adjustable)

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sleek modern dpss laser housing, simple cubic design, black and red with optical fiber & connector SL80V

Supercontinuum laser, 430-2400 nm white output, 8 W total avg. power (1 W – VIS), <300 ps pulse width, 10 kHz to 200 MHz rep rate (adjustable)

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sleek modern dpss laser housing, simple cubic design, black and red with optical fiber & connector SLM70

Supercontinuum laser, 410-2400 nm white output, 7 W total avg. power (2 W – VIS), <50 ps pulse width, 80 MHz rep rate

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Overview: SL-Pico Picosecond Supercontinuum Laser

The Spectrolight SL-Pico is a picosecond pulsed supercontinuum laser platform for applications that need stable, broadband visible-to-SWIR output from a single white-light source. With configurations covering approximately 410–2400 nm, SL-Pico supports spectroscopy, microscopy, hyperspectral and multispectral imaging, OCT/interferometry, semiconductor inspection, optical characterization, metrology, and calibration.

SL-Pico was highlighted in the 2024 Review of Spectroscopic Instrumentation product review.

SL-Pico is available in multiple power classes and architectures, including SLM mode-locked models and SL gain-switched models. Fixed and variable repetition-rate options allow users to select a configuration based on wavelength range, average power, pulse width, timing requirements, and detector or system synchronization needs.

RPMC can help compare SL, SLM, and variable-repetition-rate configurations, and can also help determine whether your application needs full broadband output or a tunable supercontinuum laser system using Spectrolight wavelength-selection technology.

Why Choose the SL-Pico Supercontinuum Laser?

SL-Pico is designed for users who need a stable, broadband picosecond white-light source that can support multiple wavelength-dependent measurements from a single laser platform. Instead of selecting separate sources for different spectral regions, SL-Pico provides visible, NIR, and SWIR coverage in configurable power and repetition-rate formats.

Dual Laser Architectures

Mode-locked and gain-switched architectures tailored to your application

Broadband Spectral Coverage

Continuous output from 410 nm to 2400 nm (VIS to SWIR)

Flexible Power Options

Multiple power classes, from compact entry-level to high-power models

Versatile System Configuration

Fixed and variable repetition rate options for diverse application needs

SL-Pico: White Light Picosecond Supercontinuum Laser

SLM Series

Mode-Locked Supercontinuum Laser

  • Short Pulse Duration: <50 ps
  • Spectral Range: 410-2400 nm
  • Exceptional Spectral Flatness & High-Power Stability
  • Scalable Power Classes & Rep. Rates

Ideal for applications requiring uniform spectral power distribution, high stability, and precise visible-spectrum perfromance.

SL-Pico: White Light Picosecond Supercontinuum Laser

SL Series

Gain-Switched Supercontinuum Laser

  • Cost-Effective High-Power Solution
  • Spectral Range: 430/450-2400 (Pulse Duration: <300 ps)
  • High Total Output Power & Enhanced SWIR Performance
  • Scalable Power Classes & Rep. Rates

Ideal for budget-conscious application requiring high total power and robust SWIR-band performance.

Picosecond Pulse Width

visual comparison illustration of 50 vs 300 ps laser pulses

Optimized picosecond pulse durations specific to each architecture.

Excellent Spatial Beam Profile

near perfect circular beam profile

High-quality, near-circular beam profile for optimal focusing.

TTL/NIM Synchronization

two graphs showing TTL and NIM triggering signals for a laser

Dual simultaneous TTL and NIM triggers for flexible synchronization.

Fixed or variable repetition-rate options

SL-Pico models are available with fixed MHz repetition rates or variable repetition-rate configurations, allowing users to match the source to detector timing, synchronization requirements, or experimental setup constraints.

Upgradeable path to tunable output

For applications that need wavelength-selectable illumination instead of full broadband output, SL-Pico can be paired with Spectrolight wavelength-selection technology to support tunable VIS, IR, SWIR, or custom spectral ranges.

Which SL-Pico Configuration Fits Your Application?

SL-Pico is available in multiple configurations with different wavelength ranges, output powers, pulse widths, and repetition-rate formats. The best starting point depends on whether your application prioritizes broadband power, shorter pulse width, repetition-rate flexibility, detector synchronization, or tunable wavelength selection.

Configuration Best Fit Typical Selection Factors Example Models
SL Series Gain-switched supercontinuum output Good fit when high broadband output power and variable repetition-rate options are important. SL models may be useful for applications that need a flexible broadband white-light source with higher total average power. SL10, SL80V
SLM Series Mode-locked picosecond supercontinuum output Good fit when shorter pulse width, stable fixed repetition rate, and strong visible/NIR/SWIR broadband output are important. SLM10, SLM20, SLM40, SLM70
SLMV Series Mode-locked output with variable repetition-rate flexibility Good fit when the application needs picosecond pulses and adjustable repetition rate for synchronization, timing control, or compatibility with different detectors and measurement setups. SLM35V

Not sure which model is the right starting point? Share your wavelength range, average power needs, pulse-width requirements, repetition-rate requirements, timing/synchronization needs, and application with RPMC.

Need Tunable Output Instead of Full Broadband Output?

SL-Pico provides broadband white-light supercontinuum output. If your application needs wavelength-selectable output, controlled bandwidth, or tunable illumination over a specific spectral region, SL-Pico can be paired with Spectrolight wavelength-selection technology.

This approach allows users to extract selected center wavelengths and bandwidths from the broadband 410–2400 nm spectrum, combining the flexibility of a tunable laser with the power and coverage of a supercontinuum source.

For tunable-output applications, RPMC can help determine whether SL-Pico alone, SL-Pico with wavelength selection, TLS-Blue, TLS-Red, or a custom Spectrolight configuration is the better fit.

Questions to Answer Before Choosing an SL-Pico Model

Need help choosing between SL, SLM, SLMV, fixed repetition-rate, variable repetition-rate, broadband, or tunable-output configurations? Send RPMC as many of the following requirements as possible:

  • Required wavelength range
  • Whether you need full broadband output or tunable wavelength selection
  • Required average power or visible/NIR/SWIR power
  • Pulse-width requirements
  • Fixed or variable repetition-rate requirements
  • Timing, triggering, or synchronization needs
  • Detector, camera, spectrometer, or optical-system compatibility requirements
  • Application: spectroscopy, microscopy, OCT, hyperspectral imaging, inspection, calibration, LiDAR / remote-sensing research, etc.
  • Lab, OEM, industrial, or fielded integration environment
  • Budget, timeline, and configuration constraints

Send your requirements to RPMC and we will help narrow the SL-Pico options and identify whether a standard configuration, tunable Spectrolight system, or custom approach is the best fit.

Additional SL-Pico Benefits:

  • Easy to Setup: Plug & Play system requires no alignments or adjustments allowing instant application
  • Easily Upgradable: Connecting to the optional Flexible Wavelength selector is simple and allows for full tunability within a selected range: VIS, IR, SWIR, or choose a custom range
  • Replace Old Technology: While older, simpler lamp-based light sources are relatively cheap, the advanced precision, collimation, and coherence of tunable laser-based light sources can help tackle modern applications with excellent results (when combined with Flexible Wavelength Selector)

Applications for SL-Pico Picosecond Supercontinuum Lasers

SL-Pico can support a wide range of research, industrial, and OEM applications that require broadband picosecond-pulsed output. Application suitability depends on the selected model, wavelength range, power level, pulse width, repetition rate, and system configuration.

Hyperspectral, LiDAR & Remote-Sensing Research

SL-Pico is a fit for hyperspectral imaging, multispectral imaging, wavelength-selectable illumination, hyperspectral camera testing, machine vision, spectral image calibration, and broadband LiDAR or remote-sensing research.


For white-light LiDAR research, SL-Pico can help teams explore how wavelength, target response, detector behavior, receiver design, timing, and measurement architecture work together in a broadband prototype or test setup.

Microscopy and Bio-Imaging

For microscopy and imaging applications, SL-Pico may support fluorescence microscopy, confocal microscopy, light-sheet microscopy, FLIM, time-resolved microscopy, TCSPC, biomedical imaging, retinal imaging, and multispectral microscopy.

OCT and Interferometry

The broadband output of SL-Pico can support optical coherence tomography, spectral-domain OCT, white-light interferometry, spectral interferometry, chromatic confocal sensing, and optical path-length measurement.

Spectroscopy and Optical Characterization

SL-Pico can be used for absorption spectroscopy, transmission and reflectance measurements, fluorescence spectroscopy, photoluminescence, photoluminescence excitation, broadband spectroscopy, pump-probe measurements, and spectral responsivity testing.

Semiconductor, Display, and Industrial Inspection

SL-Pico may be useful for semiconductor inspection, wafer inspection, micro-LED and LED inspection, photodetector characterization, image-sensor testing, camera calibration, optical component QC, thin-film inspection, and surface-defect analysis.

Metrology, Calibration, and Detector Testing

SL-Pico can support spectrometer calibration, detector responsivity calibration, wavelength calibration, optical filter characterization, reflectance and transmittance measurement, color measurement, and optical test-system development.

Related Spectrolight Products

SL-Pico is the broadband picosecond supercontinuum source platform. For applications that need wavelength-selectable output, controlled bandwidth, or tunable illumination, consider related Spectrolight tunable laser systems.

  • TLS-Blue Fixed-Bandwidth: Broadband tunable picosecond laser system for wavelength-selectable output over selected spectral regions.
  • TLS-Red Tunable-Bandwidth: Tunable supercontinuum laser system for applications requiring wavelength and bandwidth flexibility.
  • Spectrolight Manufacturer Page: View additional Spectrolight light sources, tunable laser systems, and wavelength-selection options available through RPMC.

SL-Pico Supercontinuum Laser FAQs

What is the SL-Pico used for?

SL-Pico is used as a broadband picosecond supercontinuum white-light source for spectroscopy, microscopy, hyperspectral and multispectral imaging, OCT/interferometry, optical characterization, semiconductor inspection, metrology, calibration, and detector or camera testing.

What wavelength range does SL-Pico cover?

Depending on configuration, SL-Pico models provide broadband output across approximately 410–2400 nm. Some models begin at 410 nm, while others are listed from 430 nm or 450 nm to 2400 nm.

What is the difference between SL and SLM models?

SL models use a gain-switched architecture, while SLM models use a mode-locked architecture. In general, SL models are useful when high broadband output power or variable repetition-rate flexibility is important, while SLM models are useful when shorter picosecond pulse widths and fixed repetition-rate operation are a better fit.

When should I choose a variable repetition-rate model?

A variable repetition-rate model may be useful when the laser needs to match detector timing, camera acquisition, lock-in detection, time-resolved measurement setups, or synchronization requirements in an optical system.

Can SL-Pico be used as a tunable laser source?

Yes. SL-Pico can be paired with Spectrolight wavelength-selection technology to extract selected wavelengths and bandwidths from the broadband supercontinuum output. For applications that require tunable output rather than full broadband output, RPMC can help compare SL-Pico with related Spectrolight tunable laser systems.

How do I choose the right SL-Pico model?

Start with wavelength range, required average power, pulse width, repetition rate, whether the application needs broadband or tunable output, and your detector or system synchronization requirements. RPMC can help compare the available SL-Pico configurations.

Can SL-Pico be used for LiDAR or remote-sensing research?

SL-Pico may be useful for broadband LiDAR and remote-sensing research when the goal is to study wavelength-dependent target response, detector behavior, receiver performance, spectral measurement paths, or prototype system architectures. Its picosecond broadband visible-to-SWIR output can provide more spectral flexibility than a single-wavelength source.

For fielded LiDAR systems, airborne platforms, bathymetry, or ruggedized remote-sensing systems, the full source, receiver, timing, packaging, and environmental requirements should be reviewed before selecting a laser. RPMC can help determine whether SL-Pico is appropriate for the research setup or whether another laser source is a better fit.


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Pulsed Lasers FAQs

What is a Pulsed Laser?
What is a Pulsed Laser?

A pulsed laser is any laser that does not emit a continuous-wave (CW) laser beam. Instead, they emit light pulses at some duration with some period of ‘off’ time between pulses and a frequency measured in cycles per second (Hz). There are several different methods for pulse generation, including passive and active q-switching and mode-locking. Pulsed lasers store energy and release it in these pulses or energy packets. This pulsing can be very beneficial, for example, when machining certain materials or features. The pulse can rapidly deliver the stored energy, with downtime in between, preventing too much heat from building up in the material. If you would like to read more about q-switches and the pros and cons of passive vs active q-switches, check out this blog “The Advantages and Disadvantages of Passive vs Active Q-Switching,” or check out our Overview of Pulsed Lasers section on our Lasers 101 Page!

What is the best laser for LIDAR?

What is the best laser for LIDAR?

There are actually numerous laser types that work well for various LIDAR and 3D Scanning applications. The answer comes down to what you want to measure or map. If your target is stationary, and distance is the only necessary measurement, short-pulsed lasers, with pulse durations of a few nanoseconds (even <1ns) and high pulse energy are what you’re looking for. This is also accurate for 3D scanning applications (given a stationary, albeit a much closer target), but select applications can also benefit from frequency-modulated, single-frequency (narrow-linewidth) fiber lasers. If your target is moving, and speed is the critical measurement, you need a single-frequency laser to ensure accurate measurement of the Doppler shift. If you want to learn more about the various forms of LIDAR and the critical laser source requirements, check out our LIDAR page for a list of detailed articles, as well as all the LIDAR laser source products we offer. Get more information from our Lasers 101, Blogs, Whitepapers, FAQs, and Press Release pages in our Knowledge Center!

What is the best laser for tattoo removal?

What is the best laser for tattoo removal?

The best laser for tattoo removal depends on factors like wavelength versatility, pulse duration, and energy output to effectively target various ink colors while minimizing skin damage. Q-switched or ultrafast lasers with pulse durations of 100 ps to 10 ns and a fluence of ~10 J/cm² are ideal for fragmenting ink via selective photothermolysis. For example, the Lampo 266-1064 nm offers multiple wavelengths (266 nm, 532 nm, 1064 nm) for multi-color tattoos, while the Nimbus 770-1064 nm provides customizable sub-nanosecond pulses for precision. The Quantas-Q1 delivers high pulse energy (up to 32 mJ at 1064 nm) for efficient treatments.

For more details on pulsed lasers for tattoo removal applications, see our blog, “Choosing the Right Laser for Tattoo Removal: Key Considerations‘! Get more information from our Lasers 101, Blogs, Whitepapers, and FAQ pages in our Knowledge Center!

We’re here to offer expert advice & to you help select the right laser for your application.
Contact Us Here or email us at [email protected]!

What is the difference between active and passive q-switching?
What is the difference between active and passive q-switching?

There are a wide variety of q-switch technologies, but the technique as a whole can be broken down into two primary categories of q-switches, passive and active. Active q-switches could be a mechanical shutter device, an optical chopper wheel, or spinning mirror / prism inside the optical cavity, relying on a controllable, user set on/off ability. Passive q-switches use a saturable absorber, which can be a crystal (typically Cr:YAG), a passive semiconductor, or a special dye, and automatically produce pulses based on it’s design. Both passive and active q-switching techniques produce short pulses and high peak powers, but they each have their pros and cons. When choosing between actively q-switched and passively q-switched lasers, the key is to understand the tradeoffs between cost/size and triggering/energy and decide which is best for your particular application. Read more about these tradeoffs in this article: “The Advantages and Disadvantages of Passive vs Active Q-Switching.” Get more information from our Lasers 101, Blogs, Whitepapers, FAQs, and Press Release pages in our Knowledge Center!

What type of laser is used for LIBS?
What type of laser is used for LIBS?

A laser source used for LIBS must have a sufficiently large energy density to ablate the sample in as short a time possible. Typically, pulsed DPSS lasers take center stage here. However, it’s been shown that pulsed fiber lasers can also be a great option. For example, you could utilize fiber lasers to measure detection limits as low as micrograms per gram (µg/g) for many common metals and alloys, including aluminum, lithium, magnesium, and beryllium. Analytical performances showed to be, in some cases, close to those obtainable with a traditional high-energy Nd:YAG laser. The beam quality of fiber lasers, in conjunction with longer pulse widths, resulted in significantly deeper and cleaner ablation craters. If you want to learn more about LIBS and ideal laser sources, check out either this blog: “OEM Fiber Lasers for Industrial Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy,” or this blog: “Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) in Biomedical Applications.” Get more information from our Lasers 101, Blogs, Whitepapers, FAQs, and Press Release pages in our Knowledge Center!

Which IR laser is best for laser target designation?
Which IR laser is best for laser target designation?

There are many different types of laser designation systems used by the military today. Still, they all share the same basic functionality and outcome. At a glance, the laser requirements seem relatively straightforward. The laser needs to be invisible to the human eye, and it needs to have a programmable pulse rate. Still, when you look in more detail, many small factors add up to big problems if not appropriately addressed. Excellent divergence and beam pointing stability, low timing jitter, and rugged, low SWaP design are all critical features of a good laser designation source. Read more on these critical features in this article: “What are the Critical Laser Source Requirements for Laser Designation?” Get more information from our Lasers 101, Blogs, Whitepapers, FAQs, and Press Release pages in our Knowledge Center!