Advanced laser development
The Advanced Laser Development (ALD) department focuses on the development and design of high-end diode-pumped solid-state lasers with high power and stability. Our teams push the boundaries of laser technology and contribute to innovation in science and industry. We work in an international environment and collaborate closely with partners in academia and commercial sectors. We are looking for colleagues who want to contribute to the development of the lasers of the future.
FIBER LASER TEAM
We build fiber lasers, from oscillators to space sensors. Our work blends high-end labs, cutting-edge tech, and a passion for discovery. The Fiber Laser Group is a small but ambitious team developing state-of-the-art pulsed and continuous-wave lasers for scientific, industrial, and space applications.
Our mission is to create technologies with real impact — currently, we’re working on laser sources and sensors for space debris detection.
We operate in clean labs, use top-tier optical and electronic equipment, and continuously learn as we go. We are actively involved in major projects such as LASAPP, NCK CAEPO, and NCK NACCAS. There are three of us for now, but we’re looking to grow — we welcome new colleagues excited about photonics and forward-looking tech.
We’re united by our interest in technology, travel, aviation, and, of course, great coffee and tea. Whether we’re designing an optical setup or tuning a power amplifier, we always aim to find the best solution together.
HIGH-ENERGY SLAB LASERS TEAM
The high-energy slab laser team focuses on the development of lasers with energy greater than 1 J, not only for ground applications. These lasers are based on slab laser technology, with slabs several millimeters thick, and are cooled by a flow of coolant, either in liquid or gaseous form.
The team participated on the development of the Bivoj laser system at STFC (Science and Technology Facilities Council) in the UK and subsequently put it into operation at HiLASE in 2016. Together with STFC, the team worked on further improvements of the system, leading to several world records.
Currently, the team is commissioning the KAZI laser in the ELI Beamlines laboratory. Similar to Bivoj, the KAZI laser was developed at STFC. The team is also working on studies exploring how to deploy a laser with parameters similar to Bivoj outside the laboratory, for example, in industrial settings or in applications for space debris protection.
With the renewed interest in laser-driven inertial confinement fusion (ICF), the high-energy slab laser team could also contribute to the design of lasers for ICF.
LASER SYSTEMS AND EXPERIMENTAL SUPPORT TEAM
We are a dedicated team responsible for the smooth operation and technical support of laser systems at the HiLASE Centre. Our work combines cutting-edge technology with meticulous care – from daily operations to supporting complex scientific experiments.
Laser System Management and Maintenance
We oversee a wide range of laser systems – from the compact Perla C 100, based on thin-disk technology, to our flagship system Bivoj, one of the most powerful lasers of its kind in the world, delivering pulse energies exceeding 100 J. Regular servicing, calibration, and performance optimization are all part of our daily routine.
Experiment Support and User Collaboration
Our mission is to ensure that every experiment conducted on our systems runs under optimal conditions. We assist with experimental setup, provide hands-on support during measurements, and ensure smooth execution throughout. Close collaboration with researchers is key – we are their technical partners from start to finish.
Optical Workshop and Specialized Measurements
We manage the optical workshop, where we handle precision work with optical components, including crystal bonding. We also assist with high-precision measurements using the interferometer and goniometer, where expert knowledge and accuracy are essential
THIN-DISK LASERS TEAM
The Thin-Disk Lasers team works on the development of solid-state lasers with state-of-the-art parameters for a broad spectrum of applications. Its goal is to develop innovative laser sources for real-world use.
The foundation of our activities is the long-standing experience of the Advanced Laser Development (ALD) department, especially with high-power ultrafast thin-disk ytterbium amplifiers. Currently, we are working on laser systems spanning a spectral region from UV to mid-IR, in both continuous and nanosecond to femtosecond pulsed regimes, which are aimed at industrial, scientific, communication, and other applications.
Laser system research and development is an interdisciplinary effort, and the team therefore closely collaborates with other ALD groups on overlapping scientific topics (such as numerical modeling, commercial laser development, nonlinear optics, fiber lasers, etc.), as well as with mechanical designers and electronics engineers on mechanical components and control systems, and with experimentalists during laser system operation and application experiments. Typical development projects include the design and modeling of optical and thermomechanical aspects of laser systems, hands-on laboratory work in assembling, testing, and optimizing prototypes, and integration with auxiliary fiber lasers, electronic modules, and nonlinear optical systems for frequency conversion.
This creates opportunities for specialists in laser and applied optics as well as interdisciplinary experts. We offer the opportunity to work with state-of-the-art technologies and cutting-edge laser systems on meaningful, impactful projects.
NONLINEAR OPTICS TEAM
The Nonlinear Optics team extends the capabilities of laser technology beyond conventional applications - we make lasers beam covering spectral regions from the ultraviolet to the mid-infrared. We develop unique laser systems that are used in industry, science and medicine.
The Nonlinear Optics team is an important part of the Advanced Laser Development department. Our mission is to expand the boundaries of laser radiation by extending the spectral range covered by our lasers. We work with lasers that cover pulses from nanoseconds to femtoseconds, with energies from millijoules to tens of joules and pulse repetition rates up to 100 kHz.
Using nonlinear optics techniques such as harmonic frequency generation and optical parametric generation, we can convert fundamental infrared radiation to wavelengths from the deep ultraviolet to the mid-infrared.
The results of our work find applications in industry (precision micromachining, processor and display fabrication), biomedicine (creation of antibacterial surfaces) and scientific research. We cooperate with Czech and foreign companies on the development of frequency conversion modules.
Join us and participate in innovations that change the world! Expand your knowledge in laser beam propagation, nonlinear phenomena, ultrashort pulse generation and control of complex experimental setups.
LASER NUMERICAL MODELING TEAM
COMMERCIAL LASER DEVELOPMENT TEAM
At the forefront of HiLASE’s mission to transform laser technology into real-world solutions, the Commercial Laser Development (CLD) team serves as the crucial bridge between advanced laboratory research and industry-ready systems.
With a core group of dedicated experts, the CLD team leads the charge in designing, refining, and deploying laser technologies beyond the controlled cleanroom environment.
The team works in close collaboration with the HiLASE Technical Support Department, leveraging a multidisciplinary environment that includes mechanical and optical designers, electrical engineers, and control systems specialists. This integrated approach ensures the development of systems that meet stringent technical specifications required in laboratory setups, the practical demands of industrial environments, and economically viable laser solutions.
Our Centre’s mantra, “Superlasers for the real world,” reflects our commitment to innovation and proves that the CLD team is a vital part of HiLASE’s DNA.
Over the past 15 years, we have continuously pushed the boundaries of laser science and created Czech lasers (PERLA 100, PERLA QS, PERLA 2um, PERLA X, GOpico, ESTER) that are now recognized worldwide. Our mission is clear: to develop versatile laser systems across various architectures, including thin-disk, rod, and fiber lasers, optimized not only for technical performance but also for commercial scalability. We specialize in systems based on Yb:YAG and Nd:YAG, tailoring our work to meet real application needs in both industry and science
LASER SAFETY TEAM
The laser safety team at HiLASE makes sure that working with powerful lasers is as safe as possible - we provide training, create clear rules and regularly check that everything is working as it should. We keep up to date with the latest news in the industry and are happy to share our knowledge not only with colleagues but also with the wider public.
The laser safety team at the HiLASE Centre consists of a group of experts with knowledge in physics, laser technology and safety standards.
The main goal of the team is to set maximum safety when working with high-power lasers, which are used in HiLASE for cutting-edge scientific and industrial projects. The team regularly trains employees and external collaborators in the principles of safe laser work and offers both basic and specialized training. They are actively involved in the development and updating of internal safety guidelines and oversee their compliance in the daily operation of the laboratories.
The laser safety team keeps abreast of the latest trends and legislative changes in laser safety. It collaborates with other research institutions and industrial partners to share best practices. It regularly audits and inspects workplaces to minimise the risk of accidents. In the event of an incident, it is ready to quickly analyse the causes of the event and propose effective measures.
Team members attend professional conferences and training sessions to gain new knowledge and experience. An important part of their activity is also popularization and education of safe use of laser equipment not only among professionals but also among the general public.
The team leader, Helena Vohníková, holds the prestigious Certified Laser Safety Officer (CLSO) certificate awarded by the Board of Laser Safety in the USA and is also a member of the technical standardisation committee TNK127 – Solar Energy and Lasers.
