Spitfire Ace Ultrafast Amplifiers

The Spectra-Physics Spitfire^® Ace™ is the most technically advanced Ti:Sapphire regenerative amplifier available. Equipped with the proprietary XPert™ technology, the Spitfire Ace has set the new standard for long term performance, low noise, and day-to-day reproducibility.

The XPert stabilization package incorporates multiple elements to ensure optimal performance: Newport optomechanics and Spectra-Physics proprietary optical coatings come together to deliver expert level performance. The Spitfire Ace regenerative amplifier delivers an industry leading
>5.0 W of average power. To support today’s demanding experiments, the system performance is guaranteed over extended periods of time, placing the Spitfire Ace in a class by itself.

The Spitfire Ace Power Amplifier builds upon this highly successful platform by offering even higher energy and output power. The Power Amplifier system produces more than twice the average power of the Regen-only Spitfire Ace: at 1 and 10 kHz, the system offers >10 W; at 5 kHz, >12 W is achieved. Thanks to the patented XP cavity, the beam quality is excellent providing M² <1.45 even at the highest energy configuration.

The Spitfire Ace performs optimally when seeded using the revolutionary Mai Tai^® SP oscillator. This laser is a truly hands-free system, eliminating the need for re-alignment, cleaning or adjustments of any kind. The Mai Tai SP performance specifications are guaranteed over an impressive 20°C temperature range.

The Spitfire Ace amplifier system is pumped using the field-proven Empower^® Q-switched DPSS laser. The regenerative amplifier can be pumped using the Empower 30 or Empower 45 versions to produce >4.0 W and >5.0 W, respectively. For highest power, the Spitfire Ace Power Amplifier system is pumped using an additional Empower laser. The combination can deliver more than 90 W of average power. Equipped with proprietary noise reducing technology, the Empower 45 is the quietest amplifier pump laser on the market.

Applications

• Multicolor pump-probe spectroscopy
• Coherent control
• Nonlinear optics
• Time resolved spectroscopy
• Four wave mixing spectroscopy
• Material processing
• Optical parametric amplification

Specifications^{1, 9}

1. 1. Due to our continuous product improvements, specifications are subject to change without notice. The specifications only apply when Spitfire Ace is operated with recommended Spectra-Physics seed and pump lasers.
2. 2. Applies at 800 nm.
3. 3. The desired optimum repetition rate must be specified at time of purchase. If additional repetition rates are required, additional optic sets may be required. Any system can be operated (with the same energy per pulse) at reduced repetition rates through internal divide-down electronics.
4. 4. A Gaussian pulse shape (0.7 deconvolution factor) is used to determine pulse width (FWHM) from autocorrelation signal as measured with Newport PulseScout^® autocorrelator.
5. 5. For alternative pulse widths, please contact Spectra-Physics.
6. 6. Defined as the ratio between peak intensity of output pulse to peak intensity of any pre-pulse that occurs >1 ns before the output pulse. For higher contrast ratio, please contact Spectra-Physics.
7. 7. Defined as the ratio between peak intensity of output pulse to peak intensity of any post-pulse that occurs >1 ns after the output pulse. For higher contrast ratio, please contact Spectra-Physics.
8. 8. For wavelength extension options, please contact Spectra-Physics.
9. 9. The Spitfire Ace is a Class IV – High-Power Laser, whose beam is, by definition, a safety and fire hazard. Take precautions to prevent exposure to direct and reflected beams. Diffuse as well as specular reflections can cause severe skin or eye damage.

Spitfire Ace Dimensions

Spitfire Ace Power Amplifier Dimensions

Data Sheets

• Spitfire Ace Data Sheet (480 KB)
• Spitfire Ace Power Amplifier Data Sheet (922 KB)
• Ultrafast Laser Brochure (2 MB)