The Stuttgart Instruments Alpha is a highly modular, ultrafast, wavelength-tunable frequency conversion system based on fiber-feedback OPO (FFOPO) technology. It is designed for reproducible tuning, and stable low-noise operation in spectroscopy and microscopy.
- Modular extensions for 470 nm to 20 µm
- Available with 100 fs to 1 ps
- Available at 10 to 100 MHz
Alpha configurations
The Alpha is a modular platform with the option to add an HP module for power amplification and/or MIR, NIR, and VIS wavelength extenders. Values below are representative for an Alpha pumped by the Primus at 40 MHz and 400 fs.
| Alpha | HP | MIR | NIR | VIS | eVIS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Repetition rate | 10 / 20 / 40 / 80 / 100 MHz | |||||
| Pulse duration | 100 fs / 350 fs / 1 ps | |||||
| Linewidth | 130 / 40 / 25 cm⁻¹ | |||||
| Wavelength | 1.4 – 4.5 µm | 1.4 – 4.5 µm | 4.5 – 20 µm | 1.1 – 1.4 µm | 700 – 980 nm | 470 – 980 nm |
| Average power | 300 mW at 1.5 µm 100 mW at 3 µm | 1.5 W at 1.5 µm 500 mW at 3 µm | 80 mW at 5 µm 20 mW at 10 µm | 200 mW at 1.25 µm | 400 mW at 750 nm | 100 mW at 470 nm 400 mW at 750 nm |
Wide tuning range
The Alpha is available in different pulse-duration configurations. Use the buttons below to compare typical output power across wavelength for a representative system.
Alpha 100 fs: typical tuning range at 100 fs pulse duration.
Alpha 350 fs: typical tuning range at 350 fs pulse duration.
Alpha 1 ps: typical tuning range at 1 ps pulse duration.
Outstanding passive stability
No regulator, no active feedback, no piezos. Exemplary long-term measurements on an Alpha HP 100 fs show:
- Power stability 0.2 %rms
- Spectral drift < 80 pm/h
- Maximum spectral power density variation 1.4 % in 10 h
Typical values. Exact specifications depend on the configuration and pump laser. More at Technology.
Options
Replicator option
The replicator option stores and recalls complete system states (spectrum, output power, module settings). All modules are supported. Integrated in AlphaTune and accessible via the same API used for third-party automation.
Modulator option
The Alpha can be equipped with a high-speed optical modulator. All outputs can be modulated through a user accessible electronic signal. Both TTL and analog inputs for arbitrary wave modulation are supported.
- Modulation frequency: DC – 3 MHz
- Duty cycle: 0 – 100%
Narrowband option
An optional monochromator allows reducing the linewidth to 10 cm⁻¹ for high-resolution spectroscopy.
Multi-branch option
The Alpha supports independently tunable, optically synchronized branches driven by the same pump laser. All branches can be individually configured with different modules and optically synchronized fs / ps branches are possible.