The time-domain laser spectroscopy laboratory is dedicated to the development of short-pulse laser based (spectroscopy) techniques operating in the femtosecond time-domain.
The lab instrumentation is centered around a set of femtosecond laser light sources that allow generation of ultra-short pulses in a wide spectral range. The provided spectral range spans from the THz to the UV (1 mm – 266 nm). These femtosecond light sources are complemented with a range spectral and time-domain techniques to allow for a complete spectral and temporal characterization of the ultrashort pulses in this broad spectral range.
Particular attention has been given to the topics of the laser safety. The femtosecond laser sources are of the so-called in Laser Class 4 and pose immediate danger to the eyes and skin. The laser sources are hence equipped with dedicated laser shutters.
The following equipment is available in the laboratory:
Light Sources:
Laser Oscillator, Coherent Vitara, pulsed, wavelength of 800 nm, pulse duration 40 fs, pulse energy 3 nJ, repetition rate of 78 MHz
Laser amplifier, Coherent Astrella, pulsed, wavelength of 800 nm, pulse duration 85 fs, pulse energy 7mJ, repetition rate of 1 kHz
Laser Optical Parametric amplifier, Opera Solo, pulsed, wavelength of 1-20 µm, pulse duration ~ 100 fs, pulse energy 500 mJ @ 1 mm to 5 mJ @ 20 mm; repetition rate 1 kHz
Femtosecond fiber lasers are provided within the frame of the ITISA DFG project by Menlo Systems GmbH, wavelength 1560 nm, pulse duration 45 – 90 fs, pulse energy up to 3 nJ, repetition rate 100 MHz
Spectral and temporal characterization:
Autocorrelator and Fourier transform spectrometer from Wired Sense; spectral range 1 – 300µm, (1 – 300 THz)
Several grating spectrometers from different companies (Ocean Optics and Thorlabs), spectral range: VIS/NIR
Autocorrelator for ultrashort laser pulses from APE, spectral range: 0.7 – 1.2 µm.
Detectors and data acquisition electronics:
Low noise room temperature IR pyroelectric detectors from Wired Sense: spectral range 0.225 – 1000 µm, NEP ~ 750pW/√Hz
Digital Oscilloscope from Rigol, 4 Channel, 350 MHz, 8Gs/s
Mixed instrument, Oscilloscope and signal generator from National Instruments, Virtual Bench, 4 Channels, 8 bit, 350 MHz, 1.50 Gs/s
Analogue to digital converter, Spectrum; 8 Channels, 16 bit, 250 Ms/s
Lock-in amplifier, SI SR830
Ultra-stable Digital Signal and Delay generator (SI DG645)
