The laser emits light at one billion pulses per second and comprises just two mirrors and a sapphire crystal containing a small amount of titanium.
It is powered by a green laser similar to the laser pointers found in shops for under £5, which converts the light into infrared pulses with peak powers of one kilowatt.
The researchers estimate that it reduces the cost, complexity and power consumption of typical ultrafast lasers by around a factor of 10, which makes it more accessible to users in other scientific disciplines.
Image credit: Heriot-Watt University
“Using space telescopes, astronomers have already identified thousands of stars that might have exoplanets, but each of these must be confirmed by ground-based telescopes looking for tiny fluctuations in the colour of the star’s light...