Femtosecond Characterization Tool
Spectral Phase Interferometry for Direct Electric Field Reconstruction (SPIDER)

The VENTEON | PULSE : FOUR SPIDER is the ultimate tool for highly accurate and unique real-time ultrashort pulse characterization. It allows for a complete pulse reconstruction in the time and frequency domain down to sub-5 femtoseconds.

Any experiment using ultrashort laser pulses with a duration of only a few femtoseconds requires a proper dispersion management to actually reach the transform-limited pulse duration at the site of the interaction. Thereby the full benefits of ultrashort pulse provided by laser oscillators or amplifiers can be exploited. Therefore in most cases a characterization tool which allows an easy and reliable measurement of the pulse duration is desired and strongly facilitates the optimization of the dispersion compensation.

All these requirements can be provided by Spectral Phase Interferometry for Direct Electric-Field Reconstruction (SPIDER, patented by University of Rochester) which is the most powerful technique for robust intensity profile and spectral phase characterization of ultrashort optical pulses. Compared to other ultrafast pulse characterization techniques SPIDER does not rely on simple fits or uses complex reconstruction algorithms which are mostly very time consuming. Using SPIDER the spectral phase information of the unknown laser pulse can be extracted by a robust, non-iterative and rapid phase-retrieval procedure introduced by Takeda et al. in real-time.

In addition to the successful broadband version of our PULSE:FOUR SPIDER characterization tools, now new versions optimized for the application of high-power amplified Ti:sapphire pulses (HP SPIDER) or dedicated for the characterization of typical output pulses from infrared Yb- or fiber-based oscillator and amplifier systems (IR SPIDER). These specially designed editions share the same platform as the initial SPIDER, with an elaborate analysis software and a compact and robust setup on small footprint.

Product Overview (click on the sections and icons for a detailed information)

                


PULSE : FOUR SPIDER - Ultrafast Version

Specifications
  • Broadband oscillator, amplifier (OPCPA) and NOPA characterization
  • Complete real-time ultrafast pulse measurements down to 5 fs and even below
  • Compatible pulse durations: 5 - 30 fs (transform-limited / > 40 nm spectral bandwidth)
  • Spectral bandwidth: 600 - 1100 nm (standard)
  • Chirp range: +/- 1000 fs2
  • Repetition rate: 1 kHz - 200 MHz
  • Required input pulse energy: > 2 nJ @ 80 MHz
  • s-polarized input polarization
  • Included USB spectrometer for measuring the SPIDER interferogram and fundamental spectrum allowing for simulaneous data aquisition and real time pulse measuremts
  • Compact and stable optical setup using a collinear geometry with no scanning parts, drift-free pulse replica generation and solid strecher block
  • Easy, intuitiv alignment without the need for opening the box
  • Each system factory calibrated and tested with ultrabroadband femtosecond oscillators (< 5 fs, 800 nm)
  • Included software package (C++ based) allowing for convenient SPIDER measurements, data aquisition and export (PC with USB interface required)

Fig. 1. Measured SPIDER interferogram by VENTEON | PULSE : FOUR SPIDER (ultrafast edition)
Fig. 2. Spectrum and reconstructed spectral phase of a few-cycle femtosecond laser pulse
Fig. 3. Measured pulse duration
Fig. 4. Example measurements of pulse chirp with material in the beam path


Technical data
  • Dimensions: 254 mm x 314 mm x 107 mm (W x D x H)
  • Beam input height: 63.5 mm (2.5 inch) above optical table
  • Direct table mounting / clamping via special designed pockets
  • Additional M4 threads at the bottom side of the SPIDER allow for a setting up the system on pedestal post for an easy beam height adaptment
  • Weight ~10 kg (~22 lbs)

  • Screenshots:

(click for detailed dimensions)


Measurement software
  • The included graphical user interface (GUI) allows for real-time pulse measurements and a simple and user-friendly operation, system calibration and data acquisition.
  • Aquired SPIDER data sets can be directly loaded into the vCHIRP software for dispersion / pulse compression calculations.
  • Next to ultrafast pulse characterizations the VENTEON SPIDER is usable for broadband dispersion characterization measurements of optical elements and mirrors as well.

    Screenshots:



Downloads:   VENTEON | PULSE : FOUR (SPIDER Ultrafast Version) Flyer
Downloads:   VENTEON | PULSE : FOUR (SPIDER OVERVIEW) Flyer

For further information and your individual offer contact: info@venteon.com

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PULSE : FOUR SPIDER - High Power Version

The VENTEON | PULSE : FOUR HP SPIDER is based on the ultrafast version (see above), but optimized for longer pulses. For this purpose the fundamental streching of one pulse copy within the SPIDER and the spectrometer resolution have to be adapted for a sufficient sampling of the spectral phase.


Specifications

   
  • Complete real-time ultrafast pulse measurements designed for more narrowband oscillator or amplifier spectra
  • Compatible pulse durations: 20 - 80 fs (transform-limited)
  • Spectral bandwidth: 700 - 900 nm
  • Chirp range: +/- 4000 fs2
  • Repetition rate: 1 kHz - 200 MHz
  • Required input pulse energy: > 5 nJ at 80 MHz / > 1 µJ at 1 kHz


Downloads:   VENTEON | PULSE : FOUR (SPIDER OVERVIEW) Flyer

For further information and your individual offer contact: info@venteon.com


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SPIDER Videos

The VENTEON | PULSE : FOUR SPIDER measuring a compressed 4.9 femtosecond pulse. After some time a thick fused silica substrate and a BaF2 substrate are placed into the laser beam.

The VENTEON vSPIDER software features a adjustment mode for the spectrometer - the original software of the spectrometer manufacturer is not required anymore (no switching between the different softwares).

The VENTEON vSPIDER software allows for an easy custom-designed measurement screen.

For further information and your individual offer contact: info@venteon.com

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