SPIDER Pulse Characterization

Spectral and Temporal
Characterization ofUltrashort Laser Pulses

The Spider series by APE is an all-purpose and frequently usedsolution for complete characterization of ultrashort laser pulses. Evencomplex pulse shapes can be measured rapidly and at fast update
rates. Different models are available to cover various pulse widths,bandwidths, and wavelengths.
The FC Spider (Few Cycle Spider) is the best choice for very shortpulses down to sub 5 fs and supports pulse spectra that cover up toone octave.
The Spider is ideal for infrared or near infrared laser pulses with acentral wavelength of around 0.8 µm or 1 µm.

FC Spider
Precise Characterization ofFew-Cycle Pulses Down to < 5 fs
page 3Spider
Pulse Characterization for
NIR or IR Wavelength
page 51

Spider Software

Spider Software
FeaturesImportant software features for advanced pulse characterization areprovided with all APE Spiders. If desired, a PC or notebook with preinstalled software will be delivered together with the instrument.

Software Interface FC Spider and Spider

FC Spider, Spider (Software)▪ Spectral and temporal reconstruction▪ E-field plot
▪ Peak power calculation▪ Measurement of phase differences▪ Spectral phase analysis up to fourth order▪ Simulation of additional theoretical dispersion (GDD, TOD, FOD)
▪ Spectrogram (X-FROG, SHG-FROG) and Wigner trace representation of the pulse▪ Parameter logging▪ TCP/IP interface for automated read out and remote access2

FC Spider Few-Cycle

Precise Characterizationof Few-Cycle Pulses
Down to < 5 fs

The FC Spider (Few-Cycle Spider) by APE provides spectral andtemporal characterization of ultrashort laser pulses down to sub 5 fs.
It covers the visible, near infrared, as well as the infrared spectral
region.
This high precision tool is ideal for aligning and monitoring theperformance of broadband Ti:Sa oscillators and amplifier chains.
The FC Spider VIS supports the visible spectral region down to 450nm, suitable for characterization of e.g. nonlinear optical parametricamplifiers (NOPA).
Based on the proven and patented SPIDER* technology, using a nondrifting, 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, a real-time calculation and visualizationof the spectral and temporal amplitude as well as phase can beperformed.

▪ Short pulse characterization down to < 5 fs
▪ Available solutions for the VIS, NIR and IR 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*Spectral Phase Interferometry for Direct Electric-field Reconstruction;
International Patent No.: EP 1000315, WO 1999/006794

3

FC Spider Specifications

Model

FC Spider VISFC Spider NIRFC Spider IR

Center wavelength~ 500 nm
~ 600 nm
~ 700 nm

~ 800 nm

~ 1030 nm

Spectral Bandwidth

5 nm … 50 nm (for center 500 nm)
10 nm … 80 nm (for center 600 nm)
20 nm … 100 nm (for center 700 nm)

25 nm … 200 nm

50 nm … 200 nm
Optional: 50 nm … 300 nm

Transform limited pulsewidth

8 fs … 75 fs (for center 500 nm)
7 fs … 50 fs (for center 600 nm)
7 fs … 35 fs (for center 700 nm)< 5 fs … 40 fs

7 fs … 30 fs
Optional: 5 fs … 30 fs

Maximum pulse width(chirped)

120 fs200 fs200 fsLaser repetition rate

Any; Single shot (< 20 Hz)

Any; Single shot (< 20 Hz)> 100 Hz

Trigger

TTL for Single shot measurements(repetition rates < 20 Hz)

TTL for Single shot measurements(repetition rates < 20 Hz)

TTL for repetition rates
100 Hz … 10 kHz

Input requirements
Laser pulse energies

Polarization

0.2 nJ … 8 nJ for MHz repetition rates< 10 µJ for kHz repetition rates~ 10 µJ for Hz repetition rates / Single shotLinear / horizontal

Beam diameter< 5 mmBeam height72 mm … 106 mm (spectral phase and intensity)
87 mm … 121 mm (spectral intensity)

InterfaceUSB 2.0

Notebookwith pre-installed software included

Options
Wavelength
External beam splitter andbeam routing kit

others on request, please ask
on request, please ask

Dimensions
561 mm x 244 mm x 316 mm (W/H/D)
See appendix for details

4Spider

Pulse Characterization
for NIR or IR Wavelength

The Spider is a precision tool optimized for the complete spectraland temporal characterization of laser pulses in the near infrared orinfrared. Based on the patented Spider* technology, it extends theexisting range of APE Spider models to cover longer pulses, between
15 fs and 500 fs, at a central wavelength of around 0.8 µm or 1 µm.
It also supports detection of the chirp sign for stretched pulses
greater than 2 ps width, making it a smart choice for the alignment ofpulse compressors.
Furthermore, the Spider control software supports real-time
calculation of the temporal amplitude and phase. The userfriendly design features highly automated software to guide theoperator through calibration and alignment procedures and enablemeasurements to be executed with a minimum of data input.

▪ Best choice for pulses between 15 fs and 500 fs at 0.8 µm or 1 µm central wavelength▪ Spectral intensity and phase measurement as well as temporal intensity and phase reconstruction▪ Real-time and true single-shot measurement of intensity and phase▪ High level of automated software support and internal camera-assisted alignment▪ Full software suite included*Spectral Phase Interferometry for Direct Electric-field Reconstruction; International Patent No.: EP 1000315, WO 1999/006794

5Spider Specifications

Specifications

Spider NIR

Spider IR

Center wavelength

750 nm … 900 nm

970 nm … 1070 nm

Spectral bandwidth

15 nm … 60 nm

7 nm … 50 nm

Transform limited pulse width

15 fs … 60 fs

30 fs … 200 fs

Maximum pulse width (chirped)

200 fs

500 fsLaser repetition rate

Any; Single shot (< 20 Hz)

Any; Single shot (< 20 Hz)

Trigger for Single shotmeasurements

TTL, for laser repetition rate < 20 Hz

TTL, for laser repetition rate < 20 Hz

Input requirements
Laser pulse energies

Polarization

0.2 nJ … 8 nJ for MHz repetition rates< 10 µJ for kHz repetition rates~ 10 µJ for Hz repetition rates / Single shot
Linear / horizontal

Beam diameter< 5 mmBeam height72 mm … 106 mm (spectral phase and intensity)
87 mm … 121 mm (spectral intensity)

InterfaceUSB 2.0

Notebookwith pre-installed software included

Options
Wavelength
External beam splitter and beam
routing kit

others on request, please ask
on request, please ask

Dimensions
561 mm x 289 mm x 320 mm (W/H/D); (See appendix for details)

6All dimensions in mm

FC SpiderPrecise Characterization ofFew-Cycle Pulses Down to < 5 fs
Input 2 (only Amplitude)

72 ... 106

68.9

50.4

87 ... 121

page 3

Beam input 1 (Amplitude + Phase)

Beaminput

max. 244

189 ... 224

316

Beaminput

SpiderPulse Characterization for
NIR or IR Wavelength

87 ... 121
190 ... 224
255 ... 289

page 5560
315.5

58.5

Contact
APE Angewandte Physik & Elektronik GmbH
Plauener Str. 163-165|Haus N|13053 Berlin|Germany
T: +49 30 986 011-30

F: +49 30 986 011-333

E: sales@ape-berlin.de

www.ape-berlin.deBeaminputwww.phototechnica.co.jp© APE GmbH | Rev. 4.1.0 | Specifications are subject to change without notice.

500
max. 561〒336-0017 埼玉県さいたま市南区南浦和 1-2-17

TEL:048-871-0067 FAX:048-871-0068

e-mail:voc@phototechnica.co.jp

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