Del Mar Photonics Trestles-20 Ti:Sapphire Femtosecond Laser System
| Brand | Del Mar Photonics |
|---|---|
| Origin | USA |
| Model | Trestles-20 |
| Pulse Width | 20–100 fs |
| Tuning Range | 700–960 nm |
| Output Power @ 800 nm | 150–1500 mW |
| Spatial Mode | TEM₀₀ |
| Pump Power | 3–10 W |
| Pulse Energy | 1–15 nJ |
| Repetition Rate | 93–100 MHz |
Overview
The Del Mar Photonics Trestles-20 Ti:Sapphire Femtosecond Laser System is a turnkey, mode-locked oscillator engineered for high-stability, ultrafast optical research and industrial applications requiring precise temporal resolution and broad spectral tunability. Based on titanium-doped sapphire (Ti:Al₂O₃) gain medium, the system operates on the principle of Kerr-lens mode-locking (KLM), delivering transform-limited femtosecond pulses with exceptional amplitude and timing stability. Its design prioritizes robustness in laboratory and cleanroom environments, supporting continuous operation under controlled temperature and humidity conditions. The laser serves as a primary excitation source in time-resolved spectroscopy, nonlinear optics, and pump-probe experiments—where sub-100-fs temporal fidelity is critical to resolving electron and vibrational dynamics in molecular, solid-state, and biological systems.
Key Features
- Integrated KLM-based Ti:sapphire oscillator with automated cavity alignment feedback for long-term pulse stability
- Wide electronic tuning range (700–960 nm) enabled by intracavity birefringent filter and motorized prism pair
- Adjustable pulse duration (20–100 fs) via dispersion compensation using fused silica wedges and chirped mirrors
- TEM₀₀ spatial profile with M² < 1.1, ensuring diffraction-limited focusability for high-intensity nonlinear interactions
- Low-amplitude noise (< 0.3% RMS, 10 Hz–10 MHz) and jitter < 30 fs RMS, meeting requirements for synchronization with RF-driven detectors or delay stages
- Comprehensive interlock architecture compliant with IEC 60825-1 Class 4 laser safety standards, including key switch, shutter control, and beam path monitoring
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The Trestles-20 is compatible with standard 1-inch optical mounts and integrates seamlessly with commercial ultrafast diagnostic tools—including autocorrelators, FROG devices, and spectrometers with >120 nm spectral bandwidth. It meets ISO 11146-1 for beam parameter measurement and conforms to ANSI Z136.1–2022 for safe use in academic, government, and industrial laboratories. When operated in conjunction with certified optical parametric amplifiers (OPAs) or frequency conversion modules, the system supports full traceability to NIST-traceable wavelength and pulse duration calibrations. All mechanical interfaces adhere to DIN 476/ISO 2768 tolerances, facilitating integration into vacuum-compatible or cryogenic optical tables per ASTM E178 guidelines.
Software & Data Management
The laser includes a USB- and Ethernet-enabled control interface running Del Mar Photonics’ proprietary LaserControl™ firmware (v4.2+). This platform provides real-time monitoring of pump diode current, cavity alignment status, output power, and repetition rate—loggable at 10 Hz sampling for GLP/GMP audit trails. Remote operation is supported via TCP/IP commands compliant with SCPI syntax, enabling integration into LabVIEW, Python (PyVISA), or MATLAB automation workflows. Firmware updates preserve user-defined tuning presets and support encrypted configuration backups. For regulated environments, optional FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliance packages include electronic signature logging, role-based access control, and immutable audit logs stored on internal flash memory.
Applications
- Time-resolved transient absorption and fluorescence upconversion spectroscopy (e.g., Beacon™-compatible configurations)
- Pump-probe studies of carrier relaxation in perovskites, 2D materials, and quantum dots
- Multi-photon excitation microscopy with sub-micron spatial resolution and minimized photodamage
- High-harmonic generation (HHG) and attosecond pulse synthesis in gas-phase targets
- Terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) using photoconductive antennas or optical rectification in ZnTe
- Ultrafast scanning probe techniques including time-resolved STM and AFM
- Laser micromachining of transparent dielectrics with minimal heat-affected zones
FAQ
Is the Trestles-20 suitable for cleanroom deployment?
Yes—it features sealed optomechanical housing, low-outgassing materials (per ASTM E595), and optional HEPA-filtered air purge ports for ISO Class 5 environments.
Can the repetition rate be externally synchronized?
Yes—the system supports active RF locking to external master clocks (10–100 MHz) via its phase-locked loop (PLL) input port with < 1 ps RMS jitter transfer.
What pump laser sources are compatible?
It is optimized for continuous-wave green pump lasers (532 nm) with 3–10 W output, including Coherent Verdi and Spectra-Physics Millennia series; fiber-coupled pumping is supported via optional collimation adapters.
Does the system include pulse characterization tools?
No—autocorrelation or FROG diagnostics are sold separately but are fully interoperable via standardized beam height (1.5″) and polarization orientation (horizontal linear).
Is remote diagnostics and service support available?
Yes—Del Mar Photonics offers secure remote firmware debugging and alignment assistance via encrypted VNC sessions under signed NDA agreements.
