The PulseScout™ autocorrelators are a versatile, easy-to-use diagnostic tool for measuring ultrafast pulses. This autocorrelator family is capable of measuring pulse widths from both high repetition rate (MHz) oscillators and low repetition rate (kHz) amplifiers from visible to IR wavelength range. The unit comes equipped with either a photodiode detector module to detect and measure high-energy amplified pulses, or a photomultiplier based detector to measure low-energy oscillator pulses. Conveniently, these detector modules use the same autocorrelator optical head and are fully interchangeable in seconds. Alignment is straight-forward and can also be done easily even for first time users, making this autocorrelator an ideal diagnostic tool for all of your ultrafast applications. The basic models cover 700 - 1100 nm range, and other wavelength ranges between 420 nm to 1600 nm can be easily accommodated with the upgrade kits.
PulseScout Autocorrelator system
The Basic models
Four basic models are available as standard, to accommodate the most common Ti:Saph lasers. The HR models consist of high sensitive photomultiplier tube (PMT), suitable for low-energy oscillator pulses, while the LR models can handle higher pulse energy from amplifiers. The PSCOUTSP models are specifically short pulses down to 20 fsec, by incorporating special designs to minimize dispersion in the interferometer configuration.
Which Model Should I Choose?
A rule of thumb is to select an HR model for an oscillator (such as Tsunami™) and a LR model for an amplifier (such as Spitfire Pro™). To make sure you are selecting the right model, please refer to the Specifications and see the Sensitivity (S) spec,
Click on equation to enlarge.
where τ is the pulsewidth, and f is the frequency.
Variety of Upgrades to Meet Your Requirements
For the wavelength ranges other than 700 – 1100 nm covered by the basic models, or when the signal is degraded due to aging of the detector module, one can purchase additional detector modules. The modules are easy to replace. In addition, the PMT modules and the photodiode (PD) detector modules are all interchangeable, and the replacement can be done very easily. Also available is Model PSCOUTUPG-SP, the short pulse conversion kit that upgrades a PSCOUT HR/LR (50 – 3500 fsec) model into a PSCOUTSP HR/LR model, which can measure pulses down do 20 fsec. Smart design allows all the upgrades performed by the customer just by following simple instructions. However, in order to determine the exact components necessary for the desired upgrade, make sure the model number and the serial number of your autocorrelator are verified by Newport, if you already own one.
A diagram showing various upgrade paths available. For instance, PSCOUTUPG-SP upgrades PSCOUT LR into PSCOUT HR. PSCOUTUPG-BLUE2 extends wavelengths of the PSCOUT LR to 420 - 550 nm range, but cannot be implemented upon PSCOUTSP LR. For more details, contact Newport sales engineers.
Computer Accessories
The standard communication interface of the PulseScout autocorrelator is RS-232. RS-232 to USB interface is available for purchase. All you need is just to plug in the converter to the RS-232 serial port at the back of the controller box. PSCOUT WINDOWS and PSCOUT LABVIEW are software packages to help you control the autocorrelator from your computer.
Rear view image of the autocorrelator control box
Spectrometers
Spectral measurement becomes an integrated part of ultrafast pulse diagnostics with a PulseScout autocorrelator. A compact visible or an NIR spectrometer is interfaced to the PulseScout control box, and the bandwidth and the center wavelength of the pulse spectrum can be immediately seen, at the same time as the autocorrelation trace.
