pulseSelect
Suitable for fs and ps Mode-locked Lasers
Acousto-Optical Single Pulse Selector
pulseSelect is an acousto-optical pulse picker, developed for the special demands of femtosecond laser technology. Pulse distortion is minimized by a low dispersive design and the use of reflective optics. High repetition rates and high contrast rates are achieved by using acousto-optical elements.
The pulse repetition rate can be reduced by an adjustable internal frequency divider or by external triggering. Pulse picking with low division ratios down to fREP/2 are possible. pulseSelect has an integrated RF power limitation and protection circuit to prevent modulator damage. For highest stability the phase of the RF carrier frequency is locked to the repetition rate of the laser in use.
At a Glance
- Reduction of the repetition rate of mode-locked lasers
- fs or ps mode-locked laser (e.g. Ti:Sapphire)
- Low dispersion design suitable for ultra-short pulses down to < 20 fs
- Division ratio continuously variable between fREP/2 … fREP/260,000
- Synchronized to laser seed with internal trigger
- Single-shot up to 3 MHz with external TTL trigger
- External trigger-gate mode
Single Stage Pulse Picker with pulseSelect
The Single pulseSelect consists of an optical module and control electronics. A Bragg cell represents the most important part of the optics, which selects individual pulses from the laser beam due to the acousto-optical effect. Focusing mirror, collimator mirror and a beam stop for the zero-order beam complete the setup. The driver electronics supplies the modulated RF signal for the Bragg cell with a carrier frequency that corresponds to the multiple of the laser repetition rate.
Double Stage Pulse Picker
pulseSelect in a double configuration is available in two variants, Serial and Parallel. The Serial variant offers an improved contrast ratio of over 6000:1. The Parallel version allows the simultaneous picking of pulses from two synchronized laser sources.
Double pulseSelect Serial: This version is designed to allow for highest contrast ratio of above 6000:1 by placing two Bragg cells. Both are synchronized to one common clock (in serial configuration; i.e. one beam through two Bragg cells).
Double pulseSelect Parallel: This variant is designed for simultaneous picking of pulses from two synchronized laser sources. The system is equipped with two synchronized Bragg cells. Independent picking settings are possible for both Bragg cells.
Specifications
| pulseSelect Specification | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Models | Broadband | High Power | High Power Dualband | |
| Wavelength Ranges (Other ranges on request) | 500 ... 1600 nm | 680 ... 1080 nm | 340 ... 540 nm + 680 ... 1080 nm | |
| Bragg-Cell Material | SiO2 or TeO2 SiO2 accepts higher laser power, TeO2 gives a higher diffraction efficiency | SiO2 | SiO2 | |
| Max. Laser Input Power | 2 W (SiO2) 0.5 W (TeO2) | 5 W | 5 W | |
| Diffraction Efficiency | > 50 % (SiO2) > 60% (TeO2) | > 50 % (SiO2) | > 50 % (SiO2) | |
| The following specs apply for all models | ||||
| Contrast Ratio | > 500 : 1 for non-adjacent pulses, > 75 : 1 for main pulse to adjacent pulses (at 800 nm, fREP/20) | |||
| Division Ratio | fREP/2 ... fREP/260,000 or externally triggered | |||
| Input Frequency (fREP) (to be specified with 0.5 MHz accuracy at time of order) | 72 ... 81 MHz | |||
| Extended Input Frequency (only optionally) | 35 ... 90 MHz | |||
| External Trigger TTL | Single-shot up to 3 MHz | |||
| Input Polarization | Horizontal (polarization rotator optional) | |||
| Double pulseSelect Specification | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model | Broadband | High-Power | High-Power Dualband | |
| Wavelength | 500 ... 1600 nm | 680 ... 1080 nm | 340 ... 540 nm and 680 ... 1080 nm | |
| Bragg-Cell Material | SiO2 or TeO2 SiO2 accepts higher laser power, TeO2 gives a higher diffraction efficiency | SiO2 | SiO2 | |
| Max. Input Power (PAV)* | 2 W (SiO2) 0.5 W (TeO2) | 5 W | 5 W | |
| Input Frequency (to be specified with 0.5 MHz accuracy at time of order) | 72 ... 81 MHz | 72 ... 81 MHz | 72 ... 81 MHz | |
| Extended Input Frequency (only optionally) | 35 ... 90 MHz | 35 ... 90 MHz | 35 ... 90 MHz | |
| External Trigger | Single shot up to 3 MHz | Single shot up to 3 MHz | Single shot up to 3 MHz | |
| Input Polarization | Horizontal (polarization rotator optional) | Horizontal (polarization rotator optional) | Horizontal (polarization rotator optional) | |
| Division Ratio | fREP/2 ... fREP/260,000 | fREP/2 ... fREP/260,000 | fREP/2 ... fREP/260,000 | |
| Double pulseSelect (serial): | Double pulseSelect (parallel): | |||
| Diffraction Efficiency** | ~ 25 % (SiO2) at 800 nm, fREP/20 ~ 10 % (SiO2) at 800 nm, fREP/2 ~ 36 % (TeO2) at 800 nm, f REP/20 ~ 25 % (TeO2) at 800 nm, fREP/2 | > 50 % (SiO2) at 800 nm, fREP/20 ~ 10 % (SiO2) at 800 nm, fREP/2 > 60 % (TeO2) at 800 nm, fREP/20 ~ 25 % (TeO2) at 800 nm, fREP/2 | ||
| Contrast Ratio | > 6000 : 1 for main pulse to adjacent pulses (at 800 nm, fREP/20) | > 500 : 1 for non-adjacent pulses; > 75 : 1 for main pulse to adjacent pulses (at 800 nm, fREP/20) |
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