pulseCheck
pulseCheck Autocorrelators Cover the Broadest Range of Wavelengths and Pulse Widths
UV to IR
200 nm ... > 12 µm
APE autocorrelators are available with a variety of exchangeable optical sets. This allows sensitive pulse duration measurements over an extremely wide wavelength range. Depending on the pulseCheck configuration, wavelengths in the UV range from 200 nm to the IR range above 12 µm are covered.
From 5 fs to 500 ps
Different pulseCheck configurations can be optimized according to individual pulse width measurement requirements. Extra long pulse durations are possible, for example, with the autocorrelator pulseCheck SM, which measures long pulses over a larger scanning range using fast and highly precise stepper motor technology.
NIST Traceable Calibration
An important requirement for quality assurance systems is the traceability of a measuring instrument to international or national standards. For this reason, all APE autocorrelator models are calibrated to a traceable standard according to NIST specifications (NIST = U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology).
Each pulseCheck comes with a printed and signed calibration certificate. The calibration can of course be renewed at our premises or by a certified partner at any time.
Specifications
At a Glance
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| * Measured sensitivity including Optics Set, defined as average power times peak power of the incident pulses PAV * Ppeak | |
| Measurable Pulse Width Range | Depending on Base Unit: < 10 fs ... 3.5 ps < 10 fs ... 12 ps < 50 fs ... 35 ps < 100 fs ... 500 ps (SM) |
| Wavelength Range | 200 nm - 12 µm, depends on Optics Set |
| Optics Sets | Exchangeable |
| Detector (Optics Sets) | PMT, PD, or TPA |
| Delay Resolution | < 0.001 % of scan range; pulseCheck SM: 1 fs |
| Delay Linearity | < 1 % |
| Sensitivity | Typically 1 ... 10-6 W2 depending on Optics Set* |
| Recommended Repetition Rate | PD, TPA: 10 Hz and above; PMT: 250 kHz and above |
| Type of Measurement Mode | PMT, PD : non-collinear intensity, collinear interferometric; TPA: hybrid collinear intensity |
| Mode Switching | Available for PMT, PD |
| SHG Tuning for Phase Matching | PMT/PD: automatic; TPA: not applicable |
| Trigger Mode | TTL, f < 50 kHz; pulseCheck SM < 10 kHz |
| Input Polarization | Linear horizontal, vertical available as option |
| Input Beam Coupling | Free-space; Option: fiber coupling FC/PC, FC/APC, SMA |
| Max Input Power | 1 W (e.g. oscillator with a rep. rate of approx. 70 MHz) or 10 μJ (e.g. amplified system with rep. rates in the kHz range), whichever results in lower value |
| Input Aperture | 6 mm (free-space) |
| Software | Included; Real-time display of pulse width and central wavelength, different fitting routines |
| Fitting Routine | Gaussian, Sech2, Lorentz |
| Connection | USB |
| Remote Control | Possible via TCP/IP (SCPI command set) |
| Calibration | NIST traceable calibration certificate included |
- Exchangeable Optics Sets for broadest spectrum coverage from 200 nm to 12 µm
- Pulse widths from below < 10 fs all the way up to 500 ps
- Ultra-precise delay resolution
- Toggle between interferometric and intensity autocorrelation
- Wide range of sensitivity levels covered with PMT, PD, and TPA
- Automatic phase matching
- Gaussian, Sech2, and Lorentzian fitting routines
- Ready to use software and USB interface
- TCP/IP remote control with standardized command set for easy programming
- NIST traceable calibration
Datasheets & Brochures
APE Autocorrelator pulseCheck + FROG rev.3.3.1 (pdf / english)
APE FROG Rev. 3.1.2 (pdf / english)
APE Ultrafast Laser Diagnostics rev.3.3.1 (pdf / english)
Step Files (.stp)
APE-pulseCheck-step-files-20140124 (.stp 3D CAD model with overall dimensions)
TCP/IP Sample Code for Remote Control
or
Email & Phone Contacts
APE has distributors around the world to give you the best support. Choose a country to find your local sales contact:
Three Types of Detectors: PMT, TPA, PD
The three detector types address the need for low noise and enhanced sensitivity in different applications. For pulse measurement with extreme sensitivity and low pulse energy, we recommend our photomultiplier (PMT) detector. Spectrally enhanced photodiodes (PD, TPA), on the other hand, are the ideal choice for measurements requiring sensitivities of a few mW2.
FROG Option for pulseCheck
Complete pulse characterization using FROG is possible for most pulseCheck autocorrelators. FROG allows pulseCheck to measure the spectral and temporal bandwidth and phase. FROG can be upgraded by pulseCheck customers with just a few simple changes to the autocorrelator. With the supplied software, the laser pulse intensity is displayed as a function of time and frequency (wavelength). The result is visualized in the form of the common FROG trace diagram.
Rita – Working with pulseCheck
Working with pulseCheck: Basics
Working with pulseCheck: Advanced
Working with the pulseLink Controller
Further Features
Collinear and Non-Collinear Measurements
pulseCheck offers the possibility to measure both collinear and non-collinear. It is possible to switch between both modes.
Collinear Autocorrelation
In collinear mode, interference occurs between the two pulse trains. Such an autocorrelation is also called interferometric autocorrelation or fringe-resolved measurement. It is used in particular for very short pulses. The collinear mode provides additional qualitative information about the phase, the chirp and the central wavelength of the pulse.
Non-Collinear Autocorrelation
In non-collinear mode the autocorrelation becomes background-free. This type of measurement is also called intensity autocorrelation. It enables a very high dynamic range to be achieved and weak satellites or echo pulses in the wingsof the pulse can be detected.
The pulseCheck in combination with TPA Optics Sets offers a “hybrid” of the two modes: the collinear intensity autocorrelation.
Automatic Phase Matching
Phase-sensitive, nonlinear processes require phase matching for highly efficient Second Harmonic Generation. pulseCheck achieves this fully automatically for any wavelength range, resulting in precise and fast operation with no manual adjustment needed. Because they perform the task of both detector and nonlinear optics, the TPA detectors provides tuning-free operation over a wide wavelength range.
Acquisition Software and TCP/IP Standard Software Interface
All models come with an easy to use data acquisition software, allowing for real-time data display. Furthermore, the TCP/IP-based standard software interface by APE makes it straight forward to set up remote control. This allows you, for example, to design your own automated measurement routines. Simply use our protocol templates for rapid configuration with familiar programming languages, including C++, C#, LabVIEW, Python, Matlab, and Ruby.