Picosecond laser system PL2250

for spectroscopyNd:YAGwater-cooled

The PL2250 series are flash-lamp pumped picosecond Nd:YAG lasers designed to deliver high energy picosecond pulses up to 100 mJ at a 20 Hz repetition rate. These lasers feature a cost-effective design that enhances reliability and reduces both running and maintenance costs. The system incorporates a diode pumped solid state (DPSS) master oscillator in a hermetically sealed monolithic block, and an innovative diode pumped regenerative amplifier, resulting in negligible thermal lensing and improved long-term stability. The flashlamp pumped power amplifier is optimized for efficient amplification while maintaining a near Gaussian beam profile and low wavefront distortion. Output pulse energy can be finely adjusted, and harmonic generation is achieved using angle-tuned KD*P and KDP crystals in thermostabilised ovens, ensuring high spectral purity for each harmonic. Built-in energy monitors provide continuous feedback, and the system offers multiple triggering pulses for equipment synchronization, with adjustable lead or delay.

Features

• Hermetically sealed DPSS master oscillator
• Diode pumped regenerative amplifier
• Flashlamp pumped power amplifier producing up to 100 mJ per pulse at 1064 nm
• 30 ps pulse duration (20 ps optional)
• Excellent pulse duration stability
• Up to 20 Hz repetition rate
• Streak camera triggering pulse with <10 ps jitter
• Excellent beam pointing stability
• Thermo-stabilized second, third, fourth and fifth harmonic generator options
• PC control
• Remote control via keypad

Applications

• Time resolved fluorescence (including streak camera measurements)
• SFG/SHG spectroscopy
• Nonlinear spectroscopy
• Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy
• OPG pumping
• Remote laser sensing
• Satellite ranging
• Other spectroscopic and nonlinear optics experiments

Innovative design
The PL2250 series features a cost-effective design that improves reliability and reduces operational costs. The DPSS master oscillator is hermetically sealed, and the diode pumped regenerative amplifier allows for variable repetition rates and maintenance-free operation. The flashlamp pumped power amplifier is optimized for efficient pulse amplification, maintaining a near Gaussian beam profile and low wavefront distortion. Output pulse energy is adjustable in 1% steps, with pulse-to-pulse energy stability less than 0.8% rms at 1064 nm. Harmonic generation uses angle-tuned KD*P and KDP crystals in thermostabilised ovens, with harmonic separators for high spectral purity. Built-in energy monitors provide real-time feedback, and the system offers multiple triggering pulses for synchronization, with adjustable lead or delay.

Simple and convenient laser control
The laser can be operated from a master device or personal computer via USB (VCP, ASCII commands), RS232 (ASCII commands), LAN (REST API), or from a remote control pad with a backlit display.

• USB: virtual serial port, ASCII commands
• RS232: ASCII commands
• LAN: REST API
• WLAN: REST API

Options

• -P20: Provides 20 ps ±10% output pulse duration. Pulse energies are 30% lower compared to the 30 ps version. Linewidth <2 cm⁻¹ at 1064 nm.
• -P80: Provides 80 ps ±10% output pulse duration. Pulse energy specifications as per model.

Characteristics / Technical Specifications

• Pulse energy (at 1064 nm): up to 100 mJ (PL2251C), 80 mJ (PL2251B), 50 mJ (PL2251A)
• Pulse energy (at 532 nm): up to 50 mJ (PL2251C), 40 mJ (PL2251B), 25 mJ (PL2251A)
• Pulse energy (at 355 nm): up to 30 mJ (PL2251C), 24 mJ (PL2251B), 15 mJ (PL2251A)
• Pulse energy (at 266 nm): up to 12 mJ (PL2251C), 10 mJ (PL2251B), 7 mJ (PL2251A)
• Pulse energy stability (StdDev): <0.8% at 1064 nm, <1.0% at 532 nm, <1.1% at 355 nm, <1.2% at 266 nm
• Pulse duration (FWHM): 29 ± 5 ps (optional 20–90 ps range)
• Pulse duration stability: ±1.0 ps
• Repetition rate: up to 20 Hz
• Polarization: linear, vertical, >99%
• Pre-pulse contrast: >200:1
• Optical pulse jitter: internal/external
• Internal triggering regime: <50 ps
• External triggering regime: ~3 ns
• SYNC OUT pulse delay: -500 to 50 ns adjustable
• Beam divergence: <0.5 mrad
• Beam pointing stability (RMS): ≤20 μrad
• Beam diameter: ~8 mm (PL2251A), ~10 mm (PL2251B), ~12 mm (PL2251C)
• Typical warm-up time: 30 min
• Laser head size (with harmonic): 456×1233×249 mm ±3 mm
• Laser head size (without harmonic): 456×1031×249 mm ±3 mm
• Electrical cabinet size: 550×600×550 mm ±3 mm (19″ standard, MR-9)
• Umbilical length: 2.5 m
• Cooling: water cooled
• Water consumption: <8 l/min, 2 bar, max. 20 °C
• Room temperature: 22 ±2 °C
• Relative humidity: 20–80% (non-condensing)
• Power requirements: 200–240 V AC, 16 A, single phase, 50/60 Hz
• Power consumption: <2.5 kVA