Ultrafast fiber lasers: The hunt for killer applications

Summary form only given. In this talk we review latest developments and applications of picosecond and femtosecond fiber lasers. Considered for a long time as emerging technology with high scientific interest and tremendous potential, ultrafast fiber lasers are now widely used in a growing number of applications. Motivated by rapid improvement of performance and ttractive features such as compactness and low ownership cost, ultrafast fiber lasers now challenge conventional DPSS ultrafast sources across numerous industrial sectors. Matured fiber laser technology also enables development of unique sources such as supercontinuum lasers capable of enabling scientific discovery as well as replacing incumbent illumination technologies within industrial instruments and systems. Results are being realized but the hunt continues.