pulseCheck Autocorrelators Cover the Broadest Range of Wavelengths and Pulse Widths
NIST Traceable Calibration
Laboratories and manufacturers are often faced with systematically establishing an unbroken chain of calibrations to specified references. All APE autocorrelator models are calibrated to a traceable standard in accordance with NIST (U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology) measurement traceability specifications. A printed and signed calibration certificate is provided with each pulseCheck.
UV at 200 nm to IR at 12 µm
APE provides a selection of exchangeable Optics Sets, ranging from UV at 200 nm to IR at 12 µm, for sensitive measurements across an extremely broad wavelength region.
From < 10 fs up to 400 ps
The various pulseCheck configurations can be optimized accordingly to suit your individual pulse width measurement needs. Extra-long pulse durations are accessible with pulseCheck SM, which utilizes fast and highly precise stepping motor technology to measure long pulses across a larger scan range.
FROG Option for pulseCheck
Most of the pulseCheck autocorrelators by APE optionally integrate FROG and give access to complete pulse characterization. FROG enables pulseCheck to measure the spectral and temporal bandwidth and phase with just a few adjustments to the autocorrelator.
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.
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 < 120 fs ... 150 ps < 120 fs ... 300 ps < 120 fs ... 400 ps |
| 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 |
| 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 < 1 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 as low as < 10 fs all the way up to 400 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. 3.2.4 (pdf / english)
APE Ultrafast Laser Diagnostics Rev. 3.2.4 (pdf / english)
APE FROG Rev. 3.1.2 (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:
Rita – Working with pulseCheck
Working with pulseCheck: Basics
Working with pulseCheck: Advanced
Working with the pulseLink Controller
More is More
Collinear and Non-Collinear Measurements
pulseCheck allows for fast switching between collinear and non-collinear measurement modes. Collinear, often referred to as interferometric or fringe-resolved mode, provides additional qualitative information about the chirp and central wavelength of the pulse. In contrast, noncollinear mode, also known as intensity autocorrelation, provides a background-free autocorrelation with a high dynamic range. A „hybrid“ of these two modes, collinear intensity autocorrelation, is realized with the TPA Optics Sets for the pulseCheck.
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.