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Strategic Partners 1102 www.thorlabs.com Strategic Partnership Program - GROWING and EVOLVING The Thorlabs Strategic Partnership Program has continued to foster the development of successful new businesses since 1998. In 2007, the program broadened to include collaborative agreements with respected research institutions in the United States and abroad. The original program combines facets of both the “spin-off” and “business incubator” models, and allows new companies to leverage many of Thorlabs' resources during the critical early stages of growth. Alex Cable, Thorlabs' founder and president, takes an active role in each of these organizations. His role differs from partner to advisor to benefactor, depending on the needs and business strategy of each company. Additional Thorlabs' resources available to the partners include financial planning, marketing support, engineering resources, and manufacturing expertise. The mature Thorlabs infrastructure offers the ability to condense the time to market substantially for the partner company's products. In early 2007, Thorlabs added new partner Menlo Systems Inc. to the program. This organization represents a truly collaborative effort between longtime partner Menlo Systems GmbH, Alex Cable, and MIT researchers James Fujimoto and Franz Kärtner. The first product from the organization is an octave spanning Ti:Sapphire femtosecond laser named “Octavius,” which has a pulse duration of less than 6fs. The Partnership Program has also evolved to include a new model, that of significant collaborative efforts between Thorlabs and academic institutions. This collaboration has taken several forms at different universities, from directly licensing a technology to providing support and sponsorship of burgeoning novel laboratory installations to cooperative research and co-authorship of publications. Work that was happening more or less naturally has been formalized and structured to maximize the return for both the institution and the Thorlabs organization. Each of these partnerships, whether commercial or academic, represents a unique combination of talents and resources that allow for the development and commercialization of innovative technologies. Thorlabs is fortunate to work with technology experts worldwide, spanning all areas of photonics. Rensselaer Licenses Microscope Technology to Thorlabs An innovative microscope technology invented by researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has been licensed by Thorlabs (starting on page 582). The device, which is called the Adaptive Scanning Optical Microscope (ASOM), provides the ability to view large areas of a sample without sacrificing image resolution. It is especially suited for automating difficult tasks in biological laboratories, from diagnosing cancer to discovering new drugs. The technology was invented at the Center for Automation Technologies and Systems (CATS) at Rensselaer by Ben Potsaid, John Wen, and Yves Bellouard, with partial funding from the National Science Foundation. The ASOM solves the classic microscopy tradeoff between field-of-view and magnification — as a microscope zooms in on a subject, the field of view becomes smaller and smaller. Therefore, large regions of a sample cannot be imaged at high resolution without moving the sample or microscope. The ASOM overcomes this obstacle by scanning a mirror over the sample, while a camera captures a series of small, distinct snapshots. These images are then assembled into a mosaic, providing a much larger field-of-view at very high resolution. The challenge with this method is that when the mirror is not looking straight down onto the sample, it introduces blurriness. CATS researchers fixed this problem by employing an adaptive optic element, in this case a “deformable” mirror that changes shape to correct for the off-axis aberrations that cause the blurring. The device, which functions much like a dynamic funhouse mirror, allows the ASOM to operate 10- 100 times faster than current automated microscopes without disturbing the specimen. The Adaptive Scanning Optical Microscope (ASOM) is now being made available to the research community, thanks to a commercialization partnership between Thorlabs and the Center for Automation Technologies and Systems (CATS) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Through its exclusive license of ASOM technology from Rensselaer and its support of the CATS Smart Optics Lab, Thorlabs has engineered a market- ready instrument to meet a broad range of research and commercial requirements. Inc.
Transcript
Page 1: Strategic Partnership Program - GROWING and EVOLVING › images › Catalog › V19_14_StratPart.pdf · 2008-04-18 · Strategic Partners 1102 Strategic Partnership Program - GROWING

Strategic Partners

1102 www.thorlabs.com

Strategic Partnership Program - GROWING and EVOLVINGThe Thorlabs Strategic Partnership Program has continued to fosterthe development of successful new businesses since 1998. In 2007,the program broadened to include collaborative agreements withrespected research institutions in the United States and abroad.

The original program combines facets of both the “spin-off” and“business incubator” models, and allows new companies to leveragemany of Thorlabs' resources during the critical early stages of growth.

Alex Cable, Thorlabs' founder and president, takes an active role ineach of these organizations. His role differs from partner to advisor tobenefactor, depending on the needs and business strategy of eachcompany.

Additional Thorlabs' resources available to the partners includefinancial planning, marketing support, engineering resources, andmanufacturing expertise. The mature Thorlabs infrastructure offersthe ability to condense the time to market substantially for thepartner company's products.

In early 2007, Thorlabs added new partner Menlo Systems Inc. tothe program. This organization represents a truly collaborative effortbetween longtime partner Menlo Systems GmbH, Alex Cable, andMIT researchers James Fujimoto and Franz Kärtner. The firstproduct from the organization is an octave spanning Ti:Sapphirefemtosecond laser named “Octavius,” which has a pulse duration ofless than 6fs.

The Partnership Program has also evolved to include a new model,that of significant collaborative efforts between Thorlabs andacademic institutions. This collaboration has taken several forms atdifferent universities, from directly licensing a technology toproviding support and sponsorship of burgeoning novel laboratoryinstallations to cooperative research and co-authorship ofpublications. Work that was happening more or less naturally hasbeen formalized and structured to maximize the return for both theinstitution and the Thorlabs organization.

Each of these partnerships, whether commercial or academic,represents a unique combination of talents and resources that allowfor the development and commercialization of innovativetechnologies. Thorlabs is fortunate to work with technology expertsworldwide, spanning all areas of photonics.

Rensselaer Licenses MicroscopeTechnology to Thorlabs

An innovative microscope technology invented by researchersat Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has been licensed byThorlabs (starting on page 582). The device, which is calledthe Adaptive Scanning Optical Microscope (ASOM), providesthe ability to view large areas of a sample without sacrificingimage resolution. It is especially suited for automating difficulttasks in biological laboratories, from diagnosing cancer todiscovering new drugs.

The technology was invented at the Center for AutomationTechnologies and Systems (CATS) at Rensselaer by BenPotsaid, John Wen, and Yves Bellouard, with partial fundingfrom the National Science Foundation.

The ASOM solves the classic microscopy tradeoff betweenfield-of-view and magnification — as a microscope zooms inon a subject, the field of view becomes smaller and smaller.Therefore, large regions of a sample cannot be imaged at highresolution without moving the sample or microscope.

The ASOM overcomes this obstacle by scanning a mirror overthe sample, while a camera captures a series of small, distinctsnapshots. These images are then assembled into a mosaic,providing a much larger field-of-view at very high resolution.

The challenge with this method is that when the mirror is notlooking straight down onto the sample, it introducesblurriness. CATS researchers fixed this problem by employingan adaptive optic element, in this case a “deformable” mirrorthat changes shape to correct for the off-axis aberrations thatcause the blurring. The device, which functions much like adynamic funhouse mirror, allows the ASOM to operate 10-100 times faster than current automated microscopes withoutdisturbing the specimen.

The Adaptive Scanning Optical Microscope (ASOM) is nowbeing made available to the research community, thanks to acommercialization partnership between Thorlabs and theCenter for Automation Technologies and Systems (CATS) atRensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Through its exclusive licenseof ASOM technology from Rensselaer and its support of theCATS Smart Optics Lab, Thorlabs has engineered a market-ready instrument to meet a broad range of research andcommercial requirements.

Inc.

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Strategic Partners

www.thorlabs.com

MenloSystems Inc.

MenloSystems GmbH

Nova Phase

Stratophase

Thorlabs HL

1103

Breadboard setup at MIT

MenloSystems Inc. was founded in late 2006 by MenloSystems GmbHand Alex Cable and is the newest member of Thorlabs’ StrategicPartnership Program.

The spin-off company wasconceived as a way to furtherleverage MenloSystems GmbH’ssuccess in the United States. Inearly 2007, the existing teampartnered with Franz Kärtnerand James Fujimoto, bothprofessors at the MassachusettsInstitute of Technology. The two are serving as distinguishedscientific advisors and additionalmembers of the founding team.

Franz Kärtner is one of the true pioneers in the field ofultrafast physics. He is a principal investigator in theResearch Laboratory of Electronics (RLE) at theMassachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). In 2005, hewas promoted to full professor. Professor Kärtner’sresearch interests have included modeling and simulationof nonlinear dynamics, noise in microwave oscillators andcircuits, and quantum noise. His current interests arefocused on ultrashort pulse generation in the few-cycleregime and applications using novel chirped mirrortechnology.

James Fujimoto is one of the inventors of OpticalCoherence Tomography and is widely known for hiscontribution to the field of Biological Imaging. He is aprincipal investigator in the Research Laboratory ofElectronics (RLE) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).Professor Fujimoto’s area of research involves the development andapplication of femtosecond laser technology, studies of ultrafast phenomena,and laser medicine and surgery. His many honors include the 1999 DiscoverMagazine Award for Technological Innovation and the 2001 Rank Prize inOptoelectronics.

Through the combined efforts of Thorlabs, MenloSystems GmbH, andMIT, MenloSystems Inc. will develop new products for the ultrafast physicscommunity and explore new opportunities in imaging and microscopy.

MenloSystem Inc.’s first product is the Octavius laser and octave spanningTi:Sapphire femtosecond laser. With a pulse duration of less than 6femtoseconds, it is the fastest laser commercially available. The laser isdescribed in detail on the following page and is a perfect example of thecollaborative nature of the Thorlabs Strategic Partnership Program.MenloSystems Inc. was able to leverage Thorlabs’ long experience inoptomechanical design. While the optical layout and mirror design wasdone in close collaboration with MIT, the entire monolithic mechanicaldesign was a joint venture of the MenloSystem Inc. and Thorlabs teams.

MenloSystems Inc. thanks Alex Cable and Thorlabs for their support and islooking forward to a long and prosperous relationship.

Franz Kärtner James Fujimoto

Acknowledgements: The unique DCMsincorporated in the Octavius laser cavity weredeveloped in close collaboration with Prof.Franz X. Kärtner at the MassachusettsInstitute of Technology.

For local and updated pricing on allMenloSystems Products, please contactMenloSystems, Inc. in America,MenloSystems GmbH in Europe, or ThorlabsJapan Inc. in Asia.

MenloSystems, Inc. +973 300 4490

MenloSystems GmbH +49 89 189 166-0

Thorlabs Japan, Inc. +89-3 5977-8401

Engineered single platform, flex stage base prototype

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MenloSystems Inc

MenloSystems GmbH

Nova Phase

Stratophase

Thorlabs HL

Strategic Partners

1104 www.thorlabs.com

The 6fs, 1GHz Ti:Sapphire Oscillator: Octavius

Specifications■ Pulse Width: <6fs■ Bandwidth: >300nm @ -10dB■ Repetition Rate: 1GHz■ Power: >300mW @ 6.5W Pump■ fceo Beat: >35dB f/2f in 100kHz Bandwidth

Pump Laser Recommendation– Diode Pump Solid State Laser at 532nm or 515nm– M2≤1.1– Min Power Requirement 6 Watts

Features■ Fastest Laser at 1Ghz■ Octave Spanning Spectral Bandwidth■ Unique Double-Chirped Mirror Design■ Robust Design With a Compact Footprint■ Temperature and Environmentally Stabilized

Housing

Applications■ Frequency Metrology■ Phase Sensitive Nonlinear Optics■ Amplifier Seeding, Particularly OPCPA■ Attosecond Pulse Generation■ Pump Probe Experiments [e.g. Asynchronous

Optical Sampling (ASOPS)]

This unique, ultrafast laser from MenloSystems offers an octavespanning spectrum at a repetition rate of 1GHz, while maintaining apulse width below 6fs. The wide spectrum allows for carrier offsetfrequency stabilization without external spectral broadening. The highrepetition rate is useful for high cycling pump-probe experiments andfrequency comb applications. Additional applications include biologicalprobing and imaging, amplifier seeding, particular optical parametricchirped pulse amplifiers (OPCPA), and attosecond pulse generation.

TechnologyThis laser cavity incorporates Double Chirped Mirrors (DCM), whichare required for group delay control with high precision over an octavewide bandwidth. The design of these DCMs features more than 100individual layers, which guarantee a smooth and well-behaveddispersion management.

The spectral bandwidth required to provide such short pulses is greaterthan the gain spectrum of the Ti:Sapphire laser medium. The highintensity of these short pulses induces a strong nonlinear Self-PhaseModulation (SPM), which creates additional intracavity broadeningbeyond the gain bandwidth of Ti:Sapphire. This cavity exploits theinterplay between strong SPM in the Ti:Sapphire crystal and thedispersion generated by the DCMs to provide stable ultra-short pulses,which are not possible with standard cavity designs. The spectralcontent at one octave of bandwidth enables a beat detection that isrobust and long term, with an f/2f carrier envelope offset frequencythat has more than 35dB signal-to-noise ratio in a 100kHz bandwidth.

Mechanical DesignThe system is engineered to incorporate ease-of-use and mechanicalrobustness in order to maintain performance specifications and stabilityeven in non-laboratory environments. Unlike typical designs, which usetraditional translation stages for tuning and alignment, our system usesa unique monolithic design, which eliminates the need for multiplematerials (i.e. springs, bearings and frame) and allows forunprecedented accuracy and repeatability. A rigid, thermally stabilizedplatform provides a dust-tight housing as well as a solid base for robustenvironmental operation.

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Strategic Partners

1105www.thorlabs.com

MenloSystems Inc.

MenloSystems GmbH

Nova Phase

Stratophase

Thorlabs HL

MenloSystems GmbH, a Thorlabs partner since late 2001, is a spin-off fromthe renowned Max-Planck-Institute for Quantum Optics (MPQ, Garching,Germany). Professor T. W. Hänsch, director of the Institute, and his coworkersseveral years back pioneered a revolutionary and simple technique for measuringthe frequency of light. This invention was named “...the biggest advance inprecision electromagnetic measurements since people began to measure laserfrequencies in the seventies.”

This technique for measuring laser frequencies was the starting point for theoriginal foundation of MenloSystems GmbH in 2001 by Prof. T. W. Hänsch,Dr. Ronald Holzwarth, Dr. Michael Mei, Dr. Bruno Gross, and Alex Cable.The first company product was the very high accuracy optical frequencysynthesizer based on the legendary frequency chain at the Max-Planck-Institute.

Numerous world records in precision measurements have been set with theoriginal frequency chain, including the determination of the Rydberg constant.Today the company’s objective is to develop techniques and applications thatexploit the powerful tool of optical frequency measurement both for researchand industry applications.

The MenloSystems Team: Professor T. W. Hänsch, co-founder and scientific advisor. Winner of the2005 Nobel Prize in Physics, Professor Hänsch is director at the Max-Planck-Institute for Quantum Optics and Professor of Physics at the University ofMunich. He has shaped the evolution of laser technology and is one of theleading scientists in the field of atomic and quantum physics. Professor Hänschis considered one of the true pioneers in high resolution spectroscopy. For morethan 30 years, he has inspired quantum optics and laser spectroscopy researcherswith exciting ideas and novel techniques.

Alex Cable, co-founder and member of the board. Alex is founder andpresident of Thorlabs, Inc. and co-founder of Nova Phase, Inc., FiberLabs,Japan, Thorlabs HL, and partner and board member in Stratophase LLC.

Dr. Michael Mei, co-founder and chief executive officer. Michael hastransferred the femtosecond comb technology from the visible to the telecomspectral range. In addition to his role as managing director, Michael managesproduct development and manufacturing lines.

Dr. Ronald Holzwarth, co-founder and chief technology officer. Ronald isone of the inventors of the femtosecond comb technology. He is the author ofseveral scientific publications regarding the application of this technology toprecision measurements.

PRODUCTSFC8004■ Optical Frequency Synthesizer

FC1500■ Fiber Based Optical Frequency Synthesizer

XPS800/APS800

■ Femtosecond Phase Stabilization Units

C-Fiber, M-Fiber, C-Fiber 780■ Femtosecond Fiber Lasers - See Page 553

RRE100■ Synchronization Electronics - See Page 931

APD210/310. FPD310, FPD510■ High Sensitivity Avalanche and PIN

Photodetectors - See Page 932

MenloSystems Munich

Visit our website atwww.menlosystems.com

Thorlabs ishonored to partnerwith Professor T. W. Hänsch, co-winner of The2005 Nobel Prizein Physics.

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Optical Frequency Synthesizer FC8004

MenloSystems Inc

MenloSystems GmbH

Nova Phase

Stratophase

Thorlabs HL

Strategic Partners

1106 www.thorlabs.com

The FC8004 Optical Frequency Synthesizer gives the useraccess to optical frequency measurement techniques withunprecedented accuracy and flexibility. This novel, precisetechnology can be implemented in applications such as opticalfrequency comb generation, optical clockworks, absolutedistance measurements, and high resolution spectroscopy.

Applications■ Measures/Generates Optical Frequencies With

Unprecedented Accuracy (up to 14 digits) and Stability(5x10-13 in 1 sec. or Same as Reference, Whichever AppliesFirst.).

■ Optical Frequency Comb Generation. Provides 1.5-106

Precise Laser Line With Variable Spacing■ The FC8004 Multiplies a Radio Frequency Reference Into

the Optical Region

A train of ultrashort pulses depicted intime and frequency space. As the pulseenvelope propagates with the groupvelocity, the carrier moves with the phasevelocity; thus the relative phase betweenthe pulse envelope and the carrier waveincreases from pulse to pulse by an angleof ��. The resulting spectrum of theFourier transform of such a periodicenvelope is presented below. It consists ofperiodic modes with a separation equal tothe pulse repetition frequency ωr and afrequency offset ω0, which prevents thecomb from being comprised of exactharmonics of ωr.

x 2

I(f)

nωr+ωo 2nωr+ωo

2(nωr+ωo) beat note ωo

Fig 1: Schematic of the Octave Spanning Frequency Comb and its Stabilization

SpecificationsFemtosecond Laser Based Optical Frequency Synthesizer

■ Comb Frequency Spacing: 200MHz■ Accessible Optical Range:

• Output Port 1:630-850nm

• Output Port 2: 532, 1064nm

■ Accuracy: 10-14 or Same as Reference, Whichever Applies First

■ Stability: 5x10-13 in 1sec. or Same as Reference,Whichever Applies First

■ Dimensions:• Optical unit (L x W x H):

850 x 650 x 200mm

• Electronic unit (L x W x H):600 x 800 x 1600mm

■ Input Requirements:

10MHz Reference, Power Level +7dBm■ Optional:

• BDU 08 Laser Beat Detection Unit (All Optics andElectronics for Beat Detection With External Laser)

• GPS 6-12 Frequency Standard (GPSBased 10MHz Frequency Reference,Accuracy in 1s: 5x10-12)

Operation PrincipleThe Optical Frequency Synthesizer technology is based on a femtosecond laser frequency comb. It requires the stabilization of twoimportant parameters: repetition rate ωr and offset frequency ω0. From the exact knowledge of these two radio frequencies, onecan derive the optical frequency of any mode ωn = n ωr + ω0.

A schematic picture of the spectrum of anoptical frequency synthesiser: Its whitelight comprises hundreds of thousands ofequidistant narrow spectral lines, whoseseparation is determined by the pulserepetition rate ωr. The absolute frequencyof the nth comb line is given byωn = n ωr + ω0, where ω0 originates

from the continuous phase shift of thecarrier wave. In order to measure ω0, thecomb lines at the red end of the spectrumare frequency doubled and overlappedwith the corresponding blue comb lineson a photodetector, which measures theoriginating beat signal at ω0.

Note: When beating the comb with an SM-diode laser (output > 2mW) or any other comparable optical signal to be measured, an SNR of >30dB in an 100kHz bandwidth will be achieved.

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Optical Frequency Synthesizer FC1500

Strategic Partners

1107www.thorlabs.com

MenloSystems Inc.

MenloSystems GmbH

Nova Phase

Stratophase

Thorlabs HL

1107

FC1500 – The Infrared Twin of FC8004–Now Available With 250MHz Repetition Rate■ Opens Up New Spectral Region From 1 to 2 Micron■ No Need for Costly Solid State Laser Source■ No Need for Costly and Complex Ti:Sapphire Oscillator■ Plug, Play, & Measure■ Small Footprint

Specifications■ Comb Frequency Spacing: 100MHz or 250MHz■ Frequency Comb Range: 1050-2100nm

With Extension Package for the Visible: 530-900nm■ Accuracy: 10-14 or Same as

Reference, Whichever Applies First■ Stability: 5x10-13 in 1 Sec. or Same

as Reference, Whichever Applies First■ Dimensions:

• Optical unit (L x W x H):600 x 600 x 200mm

• Electronic unit (L x W x H):600 x 600 x 800mm

■ Input Requirements: 10MHz Reference, Power Level +7dBm

■ Optional:• BDU Laser Beat Detection Units for Customer Defined

Wavelengths (All Optics and Electronics for Beat Detection with External Laser)

• HMP High-power Measurement Port: Provides Stabilized Comb Light at Customer Defined Wavelength.Optimized for High Precision Measurement of External Lasers.

• GPS 6-12 Frequency Standard(GPS Based 10MHz FrequencyReference, Accuracy in 1s: 5x10 -12)

The FC1500 Optical Frequency Synthesizer transforms a radio frequency reference into theoptical domain. The extraordinarily precise technology allows a direct link from RF standards tothe optical light sources in the near infrared regime. Its design is based on an Erbium-doped fiberlaser and our field-tested technique for self referencing the generated frequency comb. For the firsttime, this allows plug & play use for ultra precise optical frequency measurements and superior long-termstability. Its applications range from frequency comb generation and ultra high resolution spectroscopy to optical clocks. The FC1500enables the development of next generation fiber networks in telecommunication as well as generation and transfer of ultrastable timingsignals and frequency standards.

Note: When beating the comb with an SM-diode laser (output> 2mW) or any other comparable optical signal to be measured, an SNR of >30dB in an 100kHz bandwidth will be achieved. The newly developed

M-Comb delivers thehighest fundamentalrepetition rateavailable from afemtosecond fiberlaser. To learn moreabout the corecomponents of ourOptical FrequencySynthesizer running at a 250MHz repetition rate.

See Page 552

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XPS800 Femtosecond Phase StabilizationStabilize Your Ultrashort Pulses

MenloSystems Inc

MenloSystems GmbH

Nova Phase

Stratophase

Thorlabs HL

Strategic Partners

1108 www.thorlabs.com1108

APS800 Amplifier Phase Stabilization

Specifications■ Repetition Frequency: 70 to 90MHz■ Offset Frequency: 1/4 of the Repetition Frequency■ Linewidth: Offset Frequency < Hz■ Input Requirements: 200mW Average Power

in <15fs Pulses■ Optical Breadboard Dimensions: 36 x 46cm

Specifications

■ Amplifier Carrier Wavelength: 800nm

■ Energy Fluctuations: <1% (pulse-to-pulse, rms)

■ Repetition Rate: 1...5kHz

■ Input Energy: >10µJ/Pulse

■ Pulse Length: <50fs

■ Beam Diameter: 5-15mm

■ Optical Setup Dimensions: 37 x 21 x 20cm

The XPS800 Femtosecond Phase Stabilization Unit gives youcontrol of your ultrashort pulses and their carrier envelopeoffset phase.

Operation PrincipleThe XPS800 is used to stabilize the phase relation between carrierand envelope of the pulses emitted from a femtosecond laser. Thestabilization is based on the frequency comb technology. It relieson the fact that a pulse-to-pulse phase slip leads to an offset of thefrequency comb proportional to this phase slip and inverselyproportional to the time between two successive pulses. TheXPS800 phase locks the offset frequency to 1/4 of the repetitionfrequency. A PI-circuit that drives an acousto optical modulatoror a Piezo actuator closes the control loop.

Designed for end-users who require only the phase stabilization components of thefrequency comb system, the XPS800 Femtosecond Phase Stabilization Unit providescontrol of ultrashort pulses and their carrier envelope offset phase.

Applications■ Control Strong Field Processes in Extreme Nonlinear Optics■ High Harmonic Attosecond Pulse Generation■ Forefront of Research in Phase Stabilization

During amplification of phase stabilized femtosecond pulses, slow carrier-envelope phase drifts occur. The MenloSystems APS800 is used to monitor and stabilize this phase relation after the amplifier. TheAPS800 expands full phase control to the regime of high power optical pulses used in today's mostdemanding experiments of attophysics and related areas.

Operation PrincipleTo monitor the slow carrier-envelope phase drifts, a small part of the amplifier output is split off andspectrally broadened in a Sapphire plate. In an optical interferometer, the green part of the resultingoctave spanning spectrum is overlapped with the frequency doubled infrared part. With the help of aspectrometer and control software algorithms, the resulting interferogram is analyzed, and a slowcorrection signal is generated. This signal is fed into the corresponding input port of the phasestabilization electronics XPS800 or similar control electronic setups.

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DDS120 Direct Digital SynthesizerExtremely Fine Frequency and Phase Resolution

Strategic Partners

1109www.thorlabs.com

MenloSystems Inc.

MenloSystems GmbH

Nova Phase

Stratophase

Thorlabs HLOur goal is to offer complete solutions for our customers. The DDS120, our direct digital synthesizer is just one example of the components specially developed for our metrology measurement systems.Our state-of-the art femtosecond lasers, the synchronization technology, and DFG-flex differentfrequency generator combined with our experience in high-precision measurements enabled us todevelop a novel source for pump-probe spectroscopy that uses the ASOPS technique.

The Direct Digital Synthesizer DDS120 is capable of generating highly stable outputfrequencies up to 120MHz with arbitrary phase and amplitude. The wide range ofpossible external input frequencies (10MHz to 300MHz) allows triggering theDDS120 to different RF sources.

Background Information

A major advantage of a direct digital synthesizer (DDS) is that its output frequency,phase, and amplitude can be precisely and rapidly manipulated under digital processorcontrol. Other inherent DDS attributes include the ability to tune with extremely finefrequency and phase resolution and to rapidly "hop" between frequencies.

These combined characteristics have made the technology popular inmilitary radar and communications systems. In fact, DDS technologywas previously applied almost exclusively to high-end and militaryapplications; it was costly, power-hungry, difficult to implement, andrequired a discrete high speed D/A converter. Due to improvedintegrated circuit (IC) technologies, they now presenta viable alternative to analogue-based phase-locked loop (PLL)technology for generating agile analogue output frequency inconsumer synthesizer applications.Source: Direct Digital Synthesizers, Theory, Design and Applications (Kluwer International Series in Engineering & Computer Science)

MenloSystems GmbHAm Klopferspitz 19D-82152 Martinsried/Munich Germany

Tel: +49 89 189 166-0Fax: +49 89 189-166-11

www.menlosystems.com [email protected]

Specifications■ Frequency Range: 25mHz to 100MHz Sine Waveform■ Frequency Resolution: 10µHz■ Frequency Drift: <10-6Hz/s■ No Temperature Dependent Drifts From 15ºC to 25ºC■ Phase Resolution: 0.025deg■ Amplitude Range: -50dBm to +10dBm■ External Reference Input: 10MHz to 300MHz; +5dBm to +20dBm■ User Interface: Touch Screen in Combination With Master Wheel■ PC Interface: USB 2.0

In time-resolved measurements, an ultrafast pulse triggers a reaction and a second pulsetakes a snapshot of the induced change. By shifting the arrival time of the probe pulsewith respect to the pump pulse, the stimulated process can be followed in time.

The asynchronous optical sampling technique allows high-speed scanning over ananosecond time delay without a mechanical delay line. The ultrafast lasers deliveringthe pump and probe pulses are locked together at a fixed repetition rate difference.

Advantages of the ASOPS technique over sampling techniques requiring a mechanicaldelay stage include faster data acquisition times, increased temporal measurementwindows, and the absence of limitations that are common to moving components (e.g.beam pointing instability and limited scanning speed).

Our Solution

The femtosecond fiber laser and the repetition rate synchronization electronics serve asmajor building blocks for an ASOPS setup.

For customer applications utilizing the ASOPS technique, we have developed radio-frequency modules that allow tuning of the difference in the repetition rate of the twolasers with great precision and stability.

In ASOPS the measurement window is given by the reciprocalof the repetition rate, while the scan rate is given by the offset�f. By setting this difference to 5kHz for our 100MHz C-Fiberlasers, a 10ns measurement window is scanned within 0.2ms,with a time separation of 500fs between the data points.

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MenloSystems Inc

MenloSystems GmbH

Nova Phase

Stratophase

Thorlabs HL

Strategic Partners

1110 www.thorlabs.com

Nova Phase Inc. • 43 Sparta Ave • Newton, NJ 07860 • Ph: 973.579.6682 • Fax: 973.383.6037 • www.novaphase.com

Custom & OEM Optic Fabrication ■ Wave Plates - Quartz, MgF2, Zero Order,

Multi Order, Achromats■ Calcite Polarizers - Glan-Laser, Glan-

Thompson, Wollaston & RochonPolarizing Prisms

■ Mirrors - Dielectric, Metallic,Broadband, Laser Line

■ ND Filters - Absorptive, Reflective■ Beamsplitters, Prisms (Polarizing,

Non-Polarizing)■ Made-to-Print Optics

Optical Thin Film Coatings■ Dielectric & Metallic Deposition■ AR and High Reflectors, V & W Coats, Broadband AR■ High Damage Threshold Laser Coatings■ Low Temperature Ion Assist Deposition (IAD)

Fabrication Capabilities■ Surface Accuracy λ/20 (633nm) ■ Surface Quality 10-5 per MIL-O-13830A ■ Parallelism Better Than 1arcsec ■ Double Sided Planetary Grinding and Polishing ■ Conventional Spindle Grinding and Polishing ■ CNC Machining and Dicing ■ Interferometric Testing ■ Design and Engineering Capabilities

a division of

Nova Phase supports your optical needs from Crystal fabricationto OEM component &Assemblies. We lookforward to becoming your #1 Opticspartner.

About Us...Nova Phase was founded as one of the originalThorlabs Strategic Partner companies in 1999. In2006 Nova Phase became a division of Thorlabsand serves the OEM and industrial opticscommunity as a highly qualified supplier of optical components. Our core expertise combines precision opticsfabrication and crystalline materials fabrication.Nova Phase is an industry leader in themanufacture of calcite polarizers and components,as well as ND filters, wave plates, and mirrors. We have expanded our thin film optical coatingcapabilities by adding state-of-the-art E-beam ion-assist deposition (IAD) to our in-housecapabilities.

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Strategic Partners

1111www.thorlabs.com

MenloSystems Inc.

MenloSystems GmbH

Nova Phase

Stratophase

Thorlabs HL

Nova Phase Inc. • 43 Sparta Ave • Newton, NJ 07860 • Ph: 973.579.6682 • Fax: 973.383.6037 • www.novaphase.com

OEM Optics & Assemblies

Design Capabilities■ Custom and OEM Products Designed With Optical,

Mechanical, and Electronic Components ■ Small Runs and Prototypes can be Provided When

Applicable■ Complex Optical Designs for Thorlabs Including the

ASOM Lens Design

Nova Phase specializes in the fabrication of high-precision optical components from small custom orders to large OEMproduction. The companys experienced optical engineers provide the highest-quality design expertise to all customers. The fullmanufacturing capability of Thorlabs focused on your OEM needs.For assistance in preparing a custom design, please contact Nova Phase at (973) 579-6682 or [email protected].

Figure 1: Adaptive Scanning Optical Microscope

Manufacturing Capabilities■ Optics Volume Capability■ Mechanics Volume Capability

Figure 2: Beam Deviator

Assemblies Capabilities■ Fully Integrated Assemblies■ Flexible Blanket Deliveries of Components to

Full Assemblies

Figure 3: Focusing Assembly

Measurements Capabilities■ High-Quality Measuring Devices Used for Testing all

Products and Systems to Ensure They Meet All DesignSpecifications

■ Perkin Elmer Lambda 950 Spectrophotometer and theZygo GPI Interferometer

Crystals toComponents

Custom Optics Quoted in 24 HoursNova Phase specializes in custom optics made to yourexacting specifications - from prototype to full OEMproduction. With a proven trackrecord of on-time deliveries ofthe highest quality optics, we'reready to meet your custom opticneeds.

Our Guarantee We will provide you with a fullprice quotation within 24 hoursof receipt of your completedrawing specifications. Please besure to include all pertinentinformation along with yourdrawing.

Figure 4: Zygo GP/B Interferometer

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TechnologyAn integrated optical circuit is a small silicon chipwith glass layers on the top that controls light inthe same way that the familiar silicon chips containelectrical circuitry to control electricity.

Stratophase has developed a new technique that usesultra-violet laser beams to write optical circuitry.Two laser beams are focused to a small spot, whichchanges the properties of the glass. This spot ismoved across the sample, “writing” the opticalcircuit as it goes.

The arrangement of two laser beams makes itpossible to produce gratings in the circuits becausethey are used to control the light precisely.

The advantages of this process are two fold. Firstthe circuits are straightforward to produce in asingle, computer controlled step. This is in contrastto the conventional photolithography approach,which is multi-step and requires a costly mask foreach device. Therefore, it is only economic in largevolumes in contrast to direct writing. Second, theability to add gratings greatly enhances thefunctionality of the circuits.

Strategic Partners

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MenloSystems Inc

MenloSystems GmbH

Nova Phase

Stratophase

Thorlabs HL

www.thorlabs.com

Stratophase Ltd is a spin-out company from the world-famous Optoelectronics ResearchCentre at the University of Southampton in the UK. The company brings together manyyears of technology development in nonlinear and integrated optics by world leadingscientists. The company has been a Thorlabs strategic partner since 2004.

Integrated Optics Bragg Gratings inRefractive Index SensingThe process of Direct Grating Writing allows flexible, low-cost production of integratedoptical circuits in small to medium quantities. The ability to write Bragg Gratingssimultaneously enables flexible functionality in circuits, and systems are available forapplication in diverse areas including the following:

■ Refractive index monitoring of solvents and solvent mixture■ Refractive index monitoring or sugar and alcohol solutions in food and beverage

processes■ Refractive index sensing in petrochemical applications■ Biological agent detection and monitoring

A typical Bragg grating sensor monitors the refractive index of a liquid throughcontinuous, real-time monitoring of the wavelength of light reflected from the Gratingas the liquid is introduced through a microfluidic channel onto an etched sensingwindow in the sensor surface.

Stratophase uses its proprietary optical circuit technology,particularly UV-written waveguides and Bragg Gratings, as chemical or biological sensor in development of innovative refractive index sensing systems, components, and software for supply to system developers, manufacturers,and end users.

Bragg grating Sensing window

Light

Cross Section of a Refactive Index Sensor Chip

Portable Refractive Index Sensing System

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MenloSystems Inc.

MenloSystems GmbH

Nova Phase

Stratophase

Thorlabs HL

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Periodically Poled Lithium Niobate (PPLN) is a micro-structured nonlinear opticalmaterial. In many applications, PPLN has greater conversion efficiency thanconventional crystals. The period and length are chosen to suit the required wavelengthconversion and pump laser characteristics, respectively. PPLN has a widetransparency rangemaking it suitablefor conversionschemes from 450nm to 5µm.

Stratophase is a quality company thatbelieves in delivering high quality

solutions to its customers

STRATOPHASE SUPPLIES

■ Ex Stock PPLN Crystals for OPO, SHG, SFG, & DFGApplications

■ Custom PPLN to Specified Period, Length, Thickness andThin Film Coatings

■ “StratoLase”: A Turnkey, Automated ns-OPO System with Output in the 1.4µm Region

[email protected] Tel:+44 (0)1794 511226 Fax:+44 (0)8704 580754

Features ■ Turnkey, Wavelength-Selectable IR Lasers■ Two Models With Wavelengths of 1400-4150nm■ Simple User Interface■ Typical Output Power:

– Signal: 20 to 40mW– Idler: 10 to 20mW

■ Signal Wavelength Selection in 1nm Increments■ Pulse Length: ~10ns■ Repetition Rate: ~2kHz■ User-Selectable Filters to Switch Between Signal, Idler,

and Unfiltered OPO Output

Applications■ “IR-HeNe” for Optical Component Alignment and

Testing ■ Low-Cost Test and Measurement

– IR Optical Element Characterization– Waveguide Characterization– CCD Array Testing

■ Low-Cost Access from 2400-7150cm-1

IntroductionThorlabs has partnered with Stratophase to introduce anew family of selectable wavelength mid-infrared lasersspecifically designed for lab-based alignment and testapplications. The SSOPO optical parametric oscillatorsrely on Stratophase's Periodically Poled Lithium Niobate(PPLN) Technology, allowing a wide range of wavelengthsto be achieved easily.

The StratoLase sources allow users to select the desiredoperating wavelength using simple controls located on thefront panel of the system control enclosure. The systemthen automatically tunes the phase-matching conditionsof the OPO to give the desired output.

This series offers the user turnkey access to an impressivelywide range of wavelengths, making them an invaluablemultipurpose tool for any lab-based IR alignment or testactivities.

Two versions are available: the SSOPO2 (with awavelength range of 1400-1545nm) and the SSOPO3(with a wavelength range of 1540-1780nm). As anunspecified extra, the SSOPO3 allows wavelengths past1780nm with up to 2µm range. Both systems can also beconfigured to allow access to the pump laser at 1047nmbypassing the nonlinear (See Pages 548 and 549)conversion in the PPLN crystal.

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Standard ProductsTo cover virtually as many applications as possible of OCT,Thorlabs HL offers a broad range of OCT systems. They cover arange of resolutions from 12µm to 4µm and a measurementrange from 0.9mm to 3.6mm. The light sources cover thewavelength band from 800nm to 1000nm, depending on theapplication and the required resolution of the system.

The Thorlabs HL Spectral-OCT systems come complete and areoperational within minutes. Simply make a few connections,power up the pre-configured PC (photograph below left showsthe complete system), and begin taking images of your sample.

Thorlabs HL offers two standard probes:

■ A handheld probe for cross sectional images. This probe wasoriginally designed for use in dermatology, but because of itssmall size, it is also a good choice for applications with limitedaccess to the sample. It is very cost effective.

■ For investigations on smaller technical sample, and/or in vitro biomedical samples, we offer a microscope style 3Dimaging probe.

With the choice of three base units and two probes, an OCTsolution tailored to the needs of many customers can beassembled. To extend the range of possible applications evenfurther, Thorlabs HL is developing new probes and base units. In2007 Thorlabs will present an additional high-speed 60k A-ScanOCT System and a slower (1.4 kHz A-Scan rate) budget pricedsystem with extraordinary imaging quality to the OCTcommunity.

MenloSystems Inc

MenloSystems GmbH

Nova Phase

Stratophase

Thorlabs HL

Strategic Partners

1114 www.thorlabs.com

Thorlabs HL AG (THL) specializes in the development of FourierDomain OCT Systems. The Company was founded in 2005 byAlex Cable of Thorlabs and Peter Koch and Christian Winter, bothformer researchers from the Medical Laser Center Lübeck andcofounders of 4optics. Leveraging the decade of experience of the4optics founders, along with the expertise and knowledge of theThorlabs' OCT team in New Jersey, the Thorlabs HL teamdevelops OCT instruments that complement Thorlabs’ growingline of OCT products.

About OCT and Spectral RadarOptical Coherence Tomography is an emerging optical imagingtechnology for non-contact measurements of surfaces and scatteringvolumes. It brings together the principals of ultrasound imagingand the accuracy and resolution of optical techniques. OCT makesit possible to image solid objects and human tissue withmicrometer resolution, which is several orders of magnitude betterthan existing commercial imaging technologies. Among the OCTtechnologies, Spectral Radar OCT or Fourier Domain OCTpromises fast cross sectional and volumetric image generation withextraordinary sensitivity.

Thorlabs HL AG’s Building in Lübeck, Germany

Handheld Probe IncludedWith OCP1300SS

Handheld Scanning Probe

Spectral Radar OCT Imaging System

Scan of cancerous regions in the human brain

Spectral Radar OCTEngine

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MenloSystems Inc.

MenloSystems GmbH

Nova Phase

S t r a t o p h a s e

Thorlabs HL

System Specifications (Other Options Ava i l a b l e ) :■ Central Wa ve l e n g t h : . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 3 0 n m■ Spectral Bandwidth (FWHM): . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100nm ■ Signal Loss Max. De p t h : . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 6 d B■ A-Scan Fre q u e n c y : . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1 0 0 H z■ Analog to Digital Re s o l u t i o n : . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 bit■ Dimensions W x L x H: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210 x 270 x 60mm■ We i g h t : . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 k g■ Powe r :. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110/220 VAC

Optional Fe a t u re s■ Ultra High Resolution Sy s t e m : . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 . 9 µ m■ Long Me a s u rement Range Sy s t e m : . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 . 6 m m■ Dual SLD Broadband So u rc e : . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 5 0 n m■ High Speed Imaging Up g r a d e : . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Frames Per Second ■ Application Specific Pro b e s :. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Upon Re q u e s t

THL Se rv i c e sThe applications for OCT are extremely diverse and have not been fully explore d .In many cases customers have new and innova t i ve applications for OCT in mindw h e re modifications or a completely custom-tailored probe is re q u i red. THL assistscustomers in solving this problem on all levels. ■ THL develops probes custom-designed to the specific needs of the application.

Often building blocks from earlier designs can be reused, reducing the cost andd e velopment time.

■ THL develops custom-tailored software. He re again, existing building blocksf rom an extensive library of functions can be used to speed up the deve l o p m e n tp ro c e s s .

■ If customers want to develop probes or software packages at their own site, theTHL staff is happy to assist in the process as technical consultants.

If you want to know more For more details, please visit our website and search OCT, or call Thorlabs to speakwith a member of the OCT development team.

Strategic Partners

Mission StatementWe believe in the strong potential of OCT technology for the imaging

market and especially in the benefits of Spectral Radar OCT. Thorlabs Inc.

and Thorlabs HL are committed to the advancement and deployment of

OCT technology.

Pa rt n e r sThorlabs Inc. is the manufacturer anddistributor for THL OCT devices worldwide.Ac c o rd i n g l y, Thorlabs Inc. is the partner forcustomers interested in purchasing standardOCT units. The Medical Laser Center Lübeck(MLL) has carried out re s e a rch in the field ofOCT since the seminal work in the technologywas undertaken, in the early nineties. T h eC e n t re develops state of the art OCT devicesand explores their usability in clinicale n v i ronments. THL maintains a closerelationship with the MLL and its OCTre s e a rch group by sharing a commontechnology base, collaborating in re s e a rch, andsharing personal between both entities.

“ Fourier domain OCT opens a new area of high-speed and high-re s o l u t i o nreal-time imaging in medicine and biology. ”

Prof. Dr. R. Bi rn g ru b e r, CEO of Medical Laser Center Lübeck GmbH andd i rector of the Institute of Biomedical Optics of the Un i versity of Lübeck.

Thorlabs HL AGMa r i a - Go e p p e rt St r. 123562 Lübeck, Ge r m a n y

Phone: +49-451-2903370 Fa x : + 4 9 - 4 5 1 - 2 9 0 3 3 7 5

Em a i l : i n f o @ t h o r l a b s - h l . d eWe b : w w w. t h o r l a b s - h l . d e

3D Profiling of a Su rface Sa m p l e

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