New version_Experimental equipment

Laser system

The ALF-USAL laser laboratory is a pioneer in Spain in the field of ultrafast optics, having acquired in 2003 one of the first femtosecond laser systems, which is still in operation. The lab is one of the facilities comprising the Nucleus platform of the USAL.

The lab features two femtosecond laser systems based on Titanium:sapphire oscillators, mode-locking and CPA amplification from Spectra Physics.

Spectra Physics Spitfire. Commissioned in 2003. Two amplification lines: 0.9 mJ @1 kHz rep. rate and 50 mJ @10 Hz.
Spectra Physics Ace. Commissioned in 2019. Combined with an Optical Parametric Amplifier (TOPAS Prime) to deliver tunable ultrashort pulses from 240 to 2400 nm.

Both systems feed the different experimental lines.

System 1

Commissioned: 2003
Pulse duration (fs): 120
Central wavelenght (nm): 795
Pulse energy (mJ): 0,9 or 50
Rep. Rate (Hz): 1.000 or 10

System 2

Commissioned: 2019
Pulse duration (fs): 60
Central wavelenght (nm): 798 (OPA 240-2400)
Pulse energy (mJ): 1,6
Rep. Rate (Hz): 5.000 or 1.000

Laser3

Laser2

Laser1

Laser material processing system

The laser microprocessing research line has two working stations equipped with high-precision piezoelectric motors.

Station 1

Laser source: Spectra Physics Ace
Wavelengths (nm): 800, 400 and 266
Sample movement: 4-axis (xyz + rotation)
Application: General purpose processing

Station 2

Laser source: Spectra Physics Ace
Wavelengths (nm): 800, 400 and 266
Sample movement: 3-axis (xyz)
Application: Fabrication of photonic devices and precision micromachining

Ultrashort pulse characterization

In progress

Non linear microscopy

This new research line based on Second Harmonic Nonlinear Microscopy is still under development.

The lab has a homemade SH-NLM illuminated with ultrashort laser pulses coming from one of the oscillators of the laser systems.

The sample is moved with a high-precision piezoelectric motor and SH detection is performed via a photomultiplier tube coupled to a lock-in amplifier.

Laser source: Ti:Sa, 120 fs pulses @800 nm
Sample positioning: PI Micos p-545.R8S PInano XYZ
Detection: PMT + lock-in amplification optimized for 400 nm
Sample visualization: Integrated white light optical microscope

Hollow cover fiber

Spectral broadening system for laser pulses based on propagation in hollow fiber filled with various inert gases.
Pulse post-compression using chirped mirrors or prisms.

Time resolved fluorescence

In progress

Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS)

Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy

Andor Shamrock 303i spectrometer equipped with three diffraction gratings and the possibility of performing measurements in imaging mode.
Andor iStar 734 intensified CCD camera

Other equipment

IR and UV spectrometers
Potentiometers
Area measurement system (m^2 measurement system)
Spiricon profilometer
Motorized optical microscope Zeiss Axio Imager Z1m

Virtual Tour

Visit our laboratory through this virtual tour.

Use the white arrows to move forward and click and drag on the image to rotate it. In the information buttons you will find the description and details of the equipment.

Virtual tour

adminNew version_Experimental equipment04.29.2024