Ekspla PL3140 Picosecond Nd:YLF Laser System
| Brand | Ekspla |
|---|---|
| Origin | Lithuania |
| Manufacturer Type | Authorized Distributor |
| Origin Category | Imported |
| Model | PL3140 |
| Core Technology | Diode-Pumped Solid-State (DPSS) Mode-Locked Oscillator + Flashlamp-Pumped Regenerative & Linear Amplifier |
| Pulse Width | ≤10 ps (FWHM) |
| Wavelength | 1053 nm (fundamental), optionally frequency-doubled (526.5 nm), tripled (351 nm), or quadrupled (263.25 nm) |
| Pulse Energy | Up to 80 mJ @ 1053 nm |
| Repetition Rate | Up to 10 Hz |
| Timing Jitter | <10 ps RMS (pre-trigger output) |
| Harmonic Generation | Actively temperature-stabilized, angle-tuned KD*P/KDP crystals |
| Tunability | Optional OPG covering 210–2600 nm |
| Control Interface | USB (standard), RS232 (optional), LabVIEW™ drivers included |
| Energy Stability | <1.5% RMS (1053 nm, 100-shot average) |
| Energy Adjustment | 1–80 mJ in ~1% increments |
| Pre-Trigger Delay Range | 0–500 ns (0.25 ns step) |
| PRETRIG mode | 0–1000 µs (33 ns step) |
| Internal Energy Monitor | Real-time pulse-by-pulse measurement with analog/digital output |
Overview
The Ekspla PL3140 is a high-energy, diode-pumped solid-state (DPSS) picosecond laser system engineered for demanding ultrafast science applications requiring both temporal precision and pulse energy scalability. At its core, the PL3140 integrates a passively mode-locked, semiconductor-pumped Nd:YLF oscillator operating at 1053 nm, followed by a flashlamp-pumped regenerative amplifier and a linear multi-pass amplifier stage—enabling robust amplification of ultrashort pulses without compromising beam quality or temporal fidelity. The system delivers transform-limited pulses as short as ≤10 ps (FWHM) at repetition rates up to 10 Hz, with pulse energies scalable from 1 mJ to 80 mJ at the fundamental wavelength. Its architecture is optimized for long-term stability under laboratory conditions: active thermal stabilization of harmonic generation crystals ensures reproducible conversion efficiency; integrated real-time energy monitoring enables closed-loop pulse energy feedback; and low-jitter pre-trigger outputs support synchronization-critical diagnostics such as streak camera gating and pump-probe delay stages.
Key Features
- Diode-pumped, mode-locked Nd:YLF oscillator delivering high-repetition-rate seed pulses with excellent amplitude and timing stability
- Flashlamp-pumped regenerative amplifier with cavity dumping and subsequent linear amplification for high-energy, low-noise output
- Pulse energy tunable from 1 mJ to 80 mJ in ~1% increments, with <1.5% RMS energy stability (1053 nm, 100-shot average)
- Actively temperature-controlled harmonic generation module using angle-tuned KD*P and KDP crystals for stable 2ω (526.5 nm), 3ω (351 nm), and 4ω (263.25 nm) output
- Dedicated pre-trigger output with two operational modes: standard (0–500 ns delay, 0.25 ns resolution) and PRETRIG (0–1000 µs delay, 33 ns resolution), both with <10 ps RMS timing jitter
- Integrated pulse energy monitor with analog and digital outputs, displayed on handheld remote control unit and PC software interface
- Full remote operation via USB (standard) or RS232 (optional), supported by native LabVIEW™ drivers and Windows-based control software
- Ergonomic handheld remote control with backlit display, designed for use with laser safety eyewear
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The PL3140 is compatible with a wide range of optical components and experimental configurations used in ultrafast spectroscopy, nonlinear optics, and time-resolved imaging. Its 1053 nm fundamental output is well-suited for pumping optical parametric generators (OPGs) and amplifiers (OPAs), while harmonics enable access to deep-UV (263 nm) and visible (351/526 nm) spectral regions critical for photoelectron spectroscopy, transient absorption, and multiphoton excitation. The system conforms to IEC 60825-1:2014 (Laser Product Safety) and meets CE marking requirements for Class 4 laser equipment. All harmonic separation optics are designed to ensure high spectral purity (>99.5% isolation between harmonics), minimizing background contributions in sensitive detection schemes. For regulated environments, the LabVIEW™ control architecture supports audit-trail logging and user-access-level configuration—facilitating alignment with GLP/GMP documentation practices where instrument traceability and parameter verification are required.
Software & Data Management
The PL3140 is operated through a dedicated Windows-compatible GUI application that provides full access to all operational parameters—including pulse energy setpoint, repetition rate, harmonic selection, pre-trigger delay, and energy monitor calibration. The software logs timestamped pulse energy readings, trigger delay settings, and system status flags (e.g., lamp life counter, crystal temperature deviation). Raw data export is supported in CSV format for post-acquisition analysis in MATLAB®, Python, or Igor Pro. LabVIEW™ drivers (32/64-bit, NI-VISA compliant) allow seamless integration into custom automation sequences, including synchronized acquisition with oscilloscopes, CCD cameras, or time-correlated single-photon counting (TCSPC) modules. All communication protocols are deterministic and latency-optimized, ensuring sub-millisecond command execution and reliable interlock handling.
Applications
- Time-resolved pump-probe spectroscopy (transient absorption, fluorescence upconversion)
- Nonlinear optical characterization (SHG/THG microscopy, four-wave mixing, coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering)
- Optical parametric generation and amplification (OPG/OPA) across UV–NIR (210–2600 nm)
- Ultrafast plasma diagnostics and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS)
- Synchronization-critical instrumentation: streak camera triggering, electron bunch injection timing, and RF cavity phase locking
- Material ablation studies requiring high peak power (>10 GW) with minimal thermal load
FAQ
What is the minimum pulse width achievable with the PL3140?
The PL3140 delivers pulses with a full-width-at-half-maximum (FWHM) duration of ≤10 ps at 1053 nm, verified using autocorrelation measurements under specified operating conditions.
Can the laser be operated at variable repetition rates?
Yes—the repetition rate is adjustable from single-shot up to 10 Hz in discrete steps, with full energy stability maintained across the entire range.
Is harmonic generation integrated or external?
Harmonic generation is fully integrated within the laser head, utilizing actively temperature-stabilized, angle-tuned KD*P and KDP crystals housed in a thermally isolated oven. Harmonic separation is performed internally with high-extinction-ratio dichroic optics.
Does the system support FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliance?
While the PL3140 itself is not a medical device, its LabVIEW™ driver architecture and software logging capabilities can be configured to meet electronic record and signature requirements when deployed in regulated analytical workflows—subject to site-specific validation protocols.
What maintenance is required for flashlamp-pumped amplifier stages?
Flashlamps have a rated lifetime of ≥1 × 10⁶ shots; replacement is straightforward and does not require optical realignment. The system includes lamp usage counters and predictive alerts in the control software.
