Inspire Femtosecond OPO

Key Features

Gap-free tuning across the UV, Visible and IR [345 – 2500 nm (4000 – 28985 cm^-1)] with a single configuration and without any change of optics.
Fully-automated computer-controlled tuning and self-calibration.
Simultaneous UV, Visible and IR beams available through 3 separate output ports.
Integrated Second Harmonic Generation Unit for doubling the un-depleted pump.
Ultrashort Pulses (typ. 180 fs) at 80 MHz.

Description

A fully-automated femtosecond optical parametric oscillator (OPO) that offers gap-free wavelength coverage across the UV, Visible and IR with no change of optics or crystals and just one single configuration. The InspireTM advanced control software ensures fast and reliable tuning while providing a selection of practical operating features.

The Inspire is a femtosecond OPO, pumped by a mode-locked Ti:Sapphire oscillator, which offers the broadest tunability in the UV, Visible and IR, across 345 – 2500 nm. Four separate output ports emitting the doubled pump [345 – 540 nm (18518 – 28985 cm^-1)], signal [490 – 750 nm (13333 – 20408 cm^-1)], depleted-pump [680 – 1080 nm (9259 – 14705 cm^-1)], and idler [930 – 2500 nm (4000 – 10752 cm^-1)] are available. Selection between the simultaneous signal and idler outputs (tunable across the range at a fixed pump wavelength), or the simultaneous doubled and depleted-pump outputs (tunable across the range while tuning the pump laser) is straightforward and can be achieved via the dedicated PC-user-interface. The depleted-pump output at a fixed wavelength is also simultaneously available with the signal and idler outputs.

The doubled and depleted-pump outputs are generated using the state-of-the-art second-harmonic generator incorporated inside the OPO. This doubles the frequency of the pump laser, providing broad wavelength coverage [345-540 nm (18518 – 28985 cm^-1)], high conversion efficiency (up to 45 %), reduced pulse broadening (<180 fs) and excellent beam quality (Tem₀₀).

Near-transform-limited pulses are offered thanks to the specially-designed dispersion compensation module which enables dynamic and independent control of the dispersion for every signal wavelength. The Inspire operates at room temperature, and as a result avoids the need for ovens, water-cooling units and pipes inside the OPO cavity. The Inspire is a USB compatible and compact system consisting on a single optics unit (954 x 360 x 230 mm), which does not require additional bulky external units such as chillers or MRU air re-circulators. A portable and ready installed computer is also available with this OPO.

The superior performance of the Inspire is strengthened by its unique automation features that offer high simplicity of use. Additional to fully-automated tuning, self-calibration is also available via the dedicated PC-user-interface and provides automatic alignment optimization of the OPO cavity. This increases the OPO operation repeatability without the need for manual alignment and enhances the overall usability of the system. The control software also incorporates useful information and a graphical display of the spectral profile of the emitted pulses, recorded with the integrated spectrometer.

The Inspire can be pumped by both the Mai Tai® HP and the Tsunami® Ti:sapphire oscillators from Spectra Physics, and delivers high power in the UV and Visible. This is an ideal tool for sophisticated scientific applications such as time-resolved microscopy and multiple wavelength pump-probe experiments, where short pulses, broad wavelength coverage and hands-free operation are required.

A selection of Inspire The Inspire is distributed exclusively via Spectra Physics worldwide.

Models


Inspire HF 100	Inspire Auto 100	Inspire HF 50	Inspire Auto 50
Tuning range	Tuning range	Tuning range	Tuning range
Signal wavelength: 490 – 750 nm	Signal wavelength: 490 – 750 nm	Signal wavelength: 490 – 750 nm	Signal wavelength: 490 – 750 nm
Idler wavelength: 990 – 2500 nm	Idler wavelength: 990 – 2500 nm	Idler wavelength: 990 – 2500 nm	Idler wavelength: 990 – 2500 nm
Pump wavelength: 690 – 1040 nm	Pump wavelength: 690 – 1040 nm	Pump wavelength: 690 – 1040 nm	Pump wavelength: 690 – 1040 nm
SHG wavelength: 345 – 520 nm	SHG wavelength: 345 – 520 nm	SHG wavelength: n/a	SHG wavelength: n/a
Average power	Average power	Average power	Average power
Signal average power: 350 mW	Signal average power: 350 mW	Signal average power: 350 mW	Signal average power: 350 mW
Idler average power: 170 mW	Idler average power: 170 mW	Idler average power: 170 mW	Idler average power: 170 mW
Pump average power: 1100 mW	Pump average power: 1100 mW	Pump average power: 1100 mW	Pump average power: 1100 mW
SHG average power: 1100 mW	SHG average power: 1100 mW	SHG average power: n/a	SHG average power: n/a
Pulse duration: Femtosecond	Pulse duration: Femtosecond	Pulse duration: Femtosecond	Pulse duration: Femtosecond
Integrated pump: No	Integrated pump: No	Integrated pump: No	Integrated pump: No

Specifications

Output Characteristics⁽²⁾	Inspire Auto 50	Inspire Auto 100	Inspire Hand Free 50	Inspire Hand Free 100
Average Power
SHG @ 400 nm (25000 cm^-1)	n/a	1100 mW	n/a	1100 mW
Signal @ 550 nm (18181 cm^-1)	350 mW	350 mW	350 mW	350 mW
Depleted Fundamental @ 800 nm (12500 cm^-1)	1100 mW	1100 mW	1100 mW	1100 mW
Idler (at peak)	170 mW	170 mW	170 mW	170 mW
Pulse Width
SHG	n/a	<140 fs	n/a	<140 fs
Signal	100–250 fs (adjustable)	100–250 fs (adjustable)	200 fs	200 fs
Depleted Fundamental	<140 fs	<140 fs	<140 fs	<140 fs
Idler	80–250 fs (adjustable)	80–250 fs (adjustable)	200 fs	200 fs
Tuning Range
SHG	n/a	345–520 nm (19230 – 28985 cm^-1)	n/a	345–520 nm (19230 – 28985 cm^-1)
Signal (Simultaneous with Idler)	490 – 750 nm (13333 – 20408 cm^-1)	490 – 750 nm (13333 – 20408 cm^-1)	490 – 750 nm (13333 – 20408 cm^-1)	490 – 750 nm (13333 – 20408 cm^-1)
Depleted Fundamental	690 – 1040 nm (9615 – 14492 cm^-1)	690 – 1040 nm (9615 – 14492 cm^-1)	690 – 1040 nm (9615 – 14492 cm^-1)	690 – 1040 nm (9615 – 14492 cm^-1)
Idler (Simultaneous with Signal)	930 – 2500 nm (4000 – 10752 cm^-1)	930 – 2500 nm (4000 – 10752 cm^-1)	930 – 2500 nm (4000 – 10752 cm^-1)	930 – 2500 nm (4000 – 10752 cm^-1)

Repetition Rate	80 MHz	80 MHz	80 MHz	80 MHz
Noise	<1% rms	<1% rms	<1% rms	<1% rms
Wavelength Stability @ 555 nm	<0.5 nm	<0.5 nm	<0.5 nm	<0.5 nm
Polarization	Horizontal for Signal and Idler, Vertical for SHG	Horizontal for Signal and Idler, Vertical for SHG	Horizontal for Signal and Idler, Vertical for SHG	Horizontal for Signal and Idler, Vertical for SHG
Spectrometer for UV and Visible Range⁽³⁾	350–900 nm (11111 – 28571 cm^-1) (integrated into optics unit)	350–900 nm (11111 – 28571 cm^-1) (integrated into optics unit)	350–900 nm (11111 – 28571 cm^-1) (integrated into optics unit)	350–900 nm (11111 – 28571 cm^-1) (integrated into optics unit)
Dimensions (W x L x H)⁽⁴⁾	14.2 x 37.6 x 9.1 in (36.0 x 95.4 x 23.2 cm)	14.2 x 37.6 x 9.1 in (36.0 x 95.4 x 23.2 cm)	14.2 x 37.6 x 9.1 in (36.0 x 95.4 x 23.2 cm)	14.2 x 37.6 x 9.1 in (36.0 x 95.4 x 23.2 cm)

^Note:

^{(1) Specifications are subject to change without notice.}
^{(2) Pumped by Mai Tai® HP Ti:sapphire oscillators, 2.8W, 100fs, 820nm. Output characteristics for alternative pump lasers, such as TsunamiTM are available upon request.}
^{(3) IR spectral region available upon request.}
^{(4) PC controllable. No control electronics unit required.}

Performance charts

Inspire Typical Tuning Curve