The CTS-ISEL research unit marks UNESCO’s International Day of Light (May 16) with a public demonstration of its newly acquired supercontinuum white-light laser source.

The new light source, supplied by NKT Photonics, is a state-of-the-art “white-light laser” system based on supercontinuum generation in photonic crystal fiber. Unlike conventional lasers, which emit a single color, this system produces a bright, diffraction-limited beam that spans a very wide spectral range—from the visible to the infrared—making it ideal for applications such as spectroscopy, optical coherence tomography, and advanced microscopy.

The laser is part of new scientific equipment funded under the national PRR EQUIPAR+2 initiative, which aims to modernize and strengthen the infrastructure of Portuguese research units through the acquisition of cutting-edge instrumentation supported by the Recovery and Resilience Plan.

About the public demonstration

At the event, which will take place on May 15 at the Photonics Laboratory, CTS-ISEL researchers will present a brief introduction to the physics behind supercontinuum generation, explaining how intense ultrashort laser pulses, when propagating through specially designed optical fibers, can be converted into a continuous “rainbow” of wavelengths. This will be followed by a live demonstration of the system’s capabilities, showing how its broadband, high-brightness emission can be filtered and tailored to different photonics experiments.

The session will also feature a presentation of some of the first planned applications for this laser at the CTS-ISEL Photonics Laboratory, including broadband component characterization, high-precision optical spectroscopy, and the development of new imaging and detection techniques for biomedical and industrial diagnostics.

By opening its laboratory to the community, CTS-ISEL aims to highlight how investment in advanced photonic technologies contributes to high-impact research, the training of students and engineers, and innovation with benefits for society as a whole.

About the International Day of Light

UNESCO’s International Day of Light, celebrated on May 16, highlights the crucial role of light and light-based technologies in science, education, culture, and sustainable development. The date also commemorates the first successful operation of a laser, carried out by Theodore Maiman on May 16, 1960.