Equipment

The femtosecond laser system includes an oscillator (Mai Tai SP), a pump laser (Empower 45), and an amplifier (Spitfire ACE), providing the generation of ultrashort laser pulses with high stability and precision. The additional optical parametric amplifier (TOPAS NIRUVis) enhances the capabilities of the Spitfire ACE system by generating a broad wavelength range from 240 to 2600 nm, enabling a variety of nonlinear optical experiments.

The system's key advantages include adjustable wavelength, high peak power, and excellent pulse stability, making it suitable for applications in spectroscopy, nanophysics, materials science, and biomedical research.

Peripheral / Supporting Infrastructure

• Dual-axis X-Y Planar Stage – Aerotech
• Two Optical Tables – Newport 2000 Smart
• Laser Beam Profile Analyzer – Spiricon Beam Gige (340–1100 nm)
• Delay Generator – Stanford Instruments
• Frequency Counter – SR620
• Spectrometer – Ocean Insight HR-4000
• Pyroelectric Energy Meter – Ophir (190 nm to 20 μm; 120 μJ to 10 J, 46 mm aperture)
• Pyroelectric Energy Meter – Ophir (190 nm to 20 μm; 0.2 to 1000 μJ, 8 mm aperture)
• Nova II Monochrome LCD Laser Power & Energy Meter
• Compressor for Active Optical Table
• Spectrometer – FLAME-NIR (950–1650 nm)
• Oscilloscope – Tektronix MDO34 3-BW-500
• Turbomolecular Pump – Edmond
• Desiccator Cabinet

1. Laser system: Quanta-Ray GCR (Spectra-Physics)

Type: nanosecond Nd:YAG laser operating in Q-switched mode

Application: In LIBS analyses, the laser is used to ablate the material and generate plasma, which carries analytical information about the elemental composition of the investigated material.

Main parameters:

• Wavelengths: 1064 nm (fundamental); 532 nm (second harmonic); 355 nm (third harmonic)

• Pulse duration: 8–12 ns

• Repetition rate: 10 Hz

• Pulse energy (1064 nm): up to 850 mJ (depending on the model)

• Beam mode: TEM00

• Cooling: Water-cooled

• Stability: <3% RMS

• Enclosed beam path and gold-coated mirrors for optimal longevity

2. Detection system: ICCD camera (DH734-18F-03, iStar, Andor) and Echelle spectrometer (Mechelle 5000, Andor)

Application: Spectrum acquisition and analysis, time-resolved laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, fluorescence measurements of various substances, and studies of plasma processes.

Main parameters of the ICCD camera:

• Spectral range: 120–1100 nm (depending on photocathode: S20, S25, SolarBlind, etc.)

• Gate width: down to <2 ns

• Resolution: 1024 x 1024 pixels

• Pixel size: 13–26 µm

• Interfaces: USB 2.0 / CameraLink

• Software support: Andor Solis, LabVIEW, MATLAB, Python, etc.

• Timing accuracy: up to 10 ps via DDG™ (Digital Delay Generator)

Main parameters of the spectrometer:

• Spectral range: 200 nm – 975 nm

• Diffraction grating: 52 grooves/mm

• Reciprocal linear dispersion: 1 – 4 nm/mm

3. Digital delay generator (AC-DDG-4, AtomTrace)

Application: Synchronization of the laser and detection system, and setting delay and acquisition times for spectra.

Main parameters:

• Pulse duration: from 100 ns to 1000 s

• Delay time: from 0 to 1000 s

• Resolution: 10 ns

• Operating temperature range: 5 – 35 °C

Application: LIBS. The system is used to perform analyses of various types of materials. The technology enables contactless and rapid determination of the elemental composition of investigated objects.

Research has been conducted on:

• Identification of metal alloys in archaeological artifacts

• Analysis of pigments in decorated ceramic artifacts and tomb plasters

• Determination of the chemical composition of soils and minerals

• Calibration studies and creation of spectral databases.

Main Components

• Rubidium Atom Source

Glass vapor cell (ALVATEC), providing a stable atomic flux.

• Vacuum System

A combination of ion, turbomolecular, and rotary pumps ensures ultra-high vacuum conditions within the experimental chamber.

• Diode Laser (TOPTICA)

Provides resonant cooling light for efficient atom trapping.

• Repump Diode Laser (Moglabs EID-003)

Used to prepare the atoms in the appropriate internal state for trapping.

• Magnetic Field Coils

5 coils in total – 3 Helmholtz coils for generating a homogeneous magnetic field and 2 anti-Helmholtz coils for creating a magnetic field gradient in the trap region.

Peripheral / Supporting Infrastructure

• Scanner with F-Theta lens for laser beam control – Scanlab
• Autofocus and laser beam positioning system based on a laser rangefinder – µ-sigma
• Dual-axis X-Y optical stage – Aerotech
• Single-axis Z optical stage – Aerotech
• Basler MOST camera for monitoring the processing
• Optical table with compressor to maintain an anti-vibration system
• Computer control
• Spectrometer – 200–1100 nm
• Autocorrelator for measuring laser pulse duration (5 fs – 15 ps)
• Camera for laser beam profile monitoring
• High-speed spindle – Aerotech
• Pulse compression system – from 170 fs to 25 fs
• Vacuum pump
• Sensors for power and energy measurement
• 5 GHz oscilloscope with the required probes
• Pulse timing control generator

High-resolution microscope for 3D imaging and detailed analysis of surfaces and structures at the micro- and nanoscale. Enables precise optical sectioning, fluorescence imaging, and material characterization in biology, materials science, and nanotechnology.

• Computer control

Laser systems with metal vapors and metal halides, generating in the visible and ultraviolet spectral ranges

• High-voltage power supply unit with 4 kW capacity for pulsed gas-discharge lasers – Pulslight Ltd.
• Calorimetric power meter – Scientech Inc. Vector S310 (from 200 nm to 10 μm)
• Dual-axis X-Y optical stage – Aerotech
• Fast laser pulse sensor (from 320 nm to 1050 nm)
• High-voltage probe – Tektronix P6015 HV
• Current probe (Rogowski coil)
• Analog oscilloscope – Tektronix 2455 A (250 MHz)
• IR PEM detector – VIGO System (from 2 μm to 11 μm)

Advantages

• Full mobility and independence from a laboratory environment
• High pulse energy for reliable plasma generation
• Precise control of the time window for spectral analysis
• Compatible with portable spectrometers and analytical software

Technical Specifications

• Laser type: Nd:YAG (pulsed)
• Operating wavelength: 1064 nm
• Repetition rate: 2 Hz
• Pulse duration: 3 – 10 ns
• Maximum pulse energy: 150 mJ
• Peak power: 50 MW
• Average power: 0.3 W

Applications

• Elemental analysis of archaeological artifacts, ceramics, glass, metals and metal alloys, rock and soil samples, and more.
• Research in real environments — field missions, excavations, and inter-institutional projects.
• Suitable for scientific and applied research of various materials, including in the fields of cultural heritage, geology, environmental studies, and many others.

 

 

Vacuum Technology System “V-55”

Spectral Characteristics

• Spectral Range: 175 – 3300 nm
• UV/Vis Resolution: ≤ 0.05 nm
• NIR Resolution: ≤ 0.20 nm
• Photometric Range: 6-8 A

Additional Modules:

• URA – Mirror reflection at angles 8° - 65°
• 150mm Integrating InGaAs Sphere
• Polarizer