Precise Characterization of Very Short Pulses Down to < 5 fs
Overview
The FC Spider (Few Cycle Spider) by APE provides spectral and temporal characterization of ultrashort laser pulses down to below 5 fs. It covers both the red and near infrared range, and visible wavelength region with the FC Spider VIS. This high-precision tool is ideal for aligning and monitoring the performance of broadband Ti:Sa oscillators and amplifier chains with bandwidths starting at 30 nm.
Measuring Spectral Phase Directly
Based on the proven and patented Spider (Spectral Phase Interferometry for Direct Electric-field Reconstruction) technology, using a non-drifting, etalon interferometer and a material dispersion stretcher, the FC Spider directly measures the spectral phase by analyzing a spectral interferogram. In combination with a simultaneously measured power spectrum, real-time calculation and visualization of the spectral and temporal amplitude and phase is accomplished.
At a Glance
- Short pulse characterization down to < 5 fs
- Spectral coverage in the IR range and VIS range
- Real-time and single-shot measurement of phase and intensity
- High level of automated software support and internal camera-assisted alignment
- Full software suite included
- Ideal for broadband Ti:Sa oscillators, hollow-core fiber compressors, and NOPA
Specifications
| FC Spider Specification | FC Spider NIR | FC Spider VIS | FC Spider IR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wavelength Range | 550 ... 1050 nm or 500 ... 1000 nm or 660 ... 1160 nm | 450 … 900 nm with different center wavelength options | 700 ... 1300 nm |
| Typical Applications | Characterization of very short pulses, broad bandwidths; E.g. Ti:Sa Laser, hollow-core fiber compressor | Characterization of very short pulses, broad bandwidths; Visible wavelength range; E.g. NOPA | Characterization of very short pulses, broad bandwidths; IR wavelength range; E.g. fs Yb |
| Spectral Bandwidth | > 30 nm at e.g. 800 nm | 10 ... 50 nm at e.g. 550 nm, other options available | 40 … > 200 nm |
| Pulse Width | < 5 ... 200 fs | < 10 ... < 150 fs at e.g. 550 nm, other options available | < 7 … 200 fs |
| Laser Repetition Rate | Any; Single Shot | Any; Single Shot | > 10 kHz |
| Input Polarization | Linear horizontal | Linear horizontal | Linear horizontal |
| Input Power | > 50 mW at e.g. 80 MHz, 10 fs 20 mW at e.g. 1 kHz, 20 fs | On request | On request |
| Input Trigger | TTL for f < 10 Hz | TTL for f < 10 Hz | On Request |
| Connection | USB | USB | USB |
| Software | Software Suite Included | Software Suite Included | Software Suite Included |
| Notebook | Notebook with pre-installed Software recommanded | Notebook with pre-installed Software recommanded | Notebook with pre-installed Software recommanded |
| Options | |||
| Wavelength Range | Other wavelengths on request | Pre-mounted optics for various center wavelengths (see datasheet for details) | Other wavelengths on request |
| External Beam Splitter and Beam Routing Kit | For lasers with low repetition rates (kHz or less) | For lasers with low repetition rates (kHz or less) | |
| Fiber Coupling | Available for fundamental input | - | On request |
| FC Spider / Spider IR Software Suite | |
|---|---|
| ▪ Alternative interferogram demodulation analysis: Fourier / Wavelet ▪ Peak power calculation ▪ Measurement of phase differences (Dispersion measurement) ▪ Spectral phase derivation up to fourth order ▪ Simulation of additional theoretical dispersion (GDD, TOD, FOD) ▪ Spectrogram (X-FROG, SHG-FROG) and Wigner trace representation of the pulse ▪ E-field plot |
Datasheets & Brochures
APE Spiders rev. 3.1.1 (pdf / english)
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:
Few Cycle Spider Wavelengths and Bandwidths
FC Spider VIS
500 … 800 nm Center Wavelength
10 … 50 nm at 550 nm Bandwidth
450 …900 nm Spectral Range
< 10 … 150 fs Pulse Width
Single Shot
All Repetition Rates
E.g. for NOPA
FC Spider NIR
~ 800 nm Center Wavelength
30 … > 200 nm Bandwidth
550 … 1050 nm Spectral Range
< 5 … 200 fs Pulse Width
Single Shot
All Repetition Rates
E.g. for Ti:Sa Compressor
FC Spider IR
~ 1000 nm Center Wavelength
40 … > 200 nm Bandwidth
700 … 1300 nm Spectral Range
< 7 … 200 fs Pulse Width
Single Shot
Repetition Rates > 10 kHz
E.g. for fs-Yb Compressor
FC Spider Custom
Curious to see if a custom FC Spider with your special parameters is possible? Please contact us.
Software Suite
Powerful Spider Software Package
- Spectral and temporal reconstruction
- Alternative interferogram demodulation methods: Fourier / Wavelet
- E-field plot
- Peak power calculation
- Measurement of phase differences
- Spectral phase derivation up to fourth order
- Simulation of additional theoretical dispersion (GDD, TOD, FOD)
- Spectrogram (X-FROG, SHG-FROG) and Wigner trace representation of the pulse
