The Stuttgart Instruments Alpha CRS is a complete coherent Raman imaging light source: a tunable pump and a synchronized Stokes beam from one box. It is optimized for the fast image acquisition in stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) and coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscopy.
- 10 MHz and 1 ps for maximum coherent Raman signal
- Full Raman window coverage from 400 – 4500 cm⁻¹ Stokes shift with optional simultaneous dual-Stokes acquisition
- Shot-noise-limited RIN below −168 dBc/Hz
Alpha CRS specifications
Values below are representative for the standard configuration. Ask us for a configuration-specific datasheet.
| Alpha CRS 1 ps | Alpha CRS 2 ps | |
|---|---|---|
| Stokes wavelength | 1030 nm | |
| Stokes 2 wavelength (optional) | 1020 – 1035 nm | |
| Pump wavelength | 700 – 980 nm | |
| Stokes shift | 400 – 4500 cm⁻¹ | |
| Pulse duration | 1 ps | 2 ps |
| Linewidth | < 25 cm⁻¹ | < 12 cm⁻¹ |
| Time–bandwidth product | < 0.6 | |
| Repetition rate | 10 MHz | |
| Stokes modulation | DC – 5 MHz | |
| RIN | < −168 dBc/Hz at 50 kHz – 5 MHz | |
| Beam pointing | < 30 µrad | |
| Power stability | < 0.5 % | |
| Spectral stability | < 0.01 % | |
| Output power |
1000 mW at 1030 nm 300 mW at 1020 – 1035 nm (2nd Stokes, optional) 500 mW at 1030 nm (100 fs, optional) 90 mW at 700 nm 300 mW at 800 nm 200 mW at 950 nm | |
Optimized for fastest image acquisition
Short 1 ps pulses concentrate more peak power into the stimulated Raman process at the same average power, enhancing the measured signal. Lower repetition rate further enhances the signal as it permits higher pulse energies on the sample before thermal damage sets in. The ultra-low RIN ensures that demodulation or boxcar acquisition exploit their full potential at any frequency above 50 kHz with simple single-channel detection.
- Flexible Full Raman frequency range, 400 – 4500 cm⁻¹
- Robust Low spectral drift, < 0.05 cm⁻¹/h
- Simple Single-channel, shot-noise-limited detection
Options
Dual Stokes output
A second, independently set Stokes wavelength for simultaneous multi-band acquisition.
Beam combining and delay compensation
Pump and Stokes are combined and delay-matched at the output, microscopy ready.
100 fs bypass for broadband CARS
An optional 100 fs bypass path adds broadband CARS capability alongside the standard narrowband SRS configuration.
Stimulated Raman histology
*Including mechanical repositioning. Image recorded by the group of Dr. Sandro Heuke (CNRS, Marseille).
“The 11 MHz ps-OPO from Stuttgart Instruments delivers outstanding stability, fast and broad tunability, significantly speeding up our coherent Raman measurements.”