For more info, please go to A. P. E. website
Step 1. Alignment Mode: Open the LX Spider software on the Laptop. You should see two green lights on "spectrometer found" and "motors initialized" in the upper right corner (Fig. 1). Then click the alignment button to set LX Spider in alignment mode. The incoming beam passes through a series of optics to reach the splitting mirror. This splits the beam spatially into two separate beings. These beams are then tilted downward to pass through the non-linear crystal. In alignment mode, a steering mirror reflects both beams into the alignment window (Fig.2). On the alignment window, you can check the two half-moons of equal size and brightness one on each side of the crosshair (Fig. 3). When that’s complete, clamp LX Spider to the table. As a final step optimize the two spots in the alignment window by aligning the near mirror. When you’re finished unclick the alignment button. This will switch LX Spider out of alignment mode. So it will deliver the two upconverted beams to the spectrometer.
| Figure 1. open Spider software, make sure the green lights on | Figure 2. click "alignment mode" | Figure 3. two half beams on the alignment window |
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Step 2, Spectrum measurement: check the measure spectrum box, then use the exposure slider on the left to increase or decrease the signal level (Fig 4), or press the auto-exposure button(Fig. 5). When you’re ready press the safe spectrum button followed by"Yes" (Fig. 6). Then uncheck the measure spectrum box. And the interferogram of the fundamental signal should be visible.
| Figure 4. check measure spectrum adjust signal level manually | Figure 5. or press auto-exposure | Figure 6. save spectrum uncheck measure spectrum |
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Step 3, Phase measurement: First make sure that auto exposure mode is switched off (Fig. 7), then set the spectral range to the second harmonic (Fig. 8 upper). Then tune the crystal to the correct wavelength by checking the tune to the center of gravity box as an alternative (Fig. 8 lower). You can manually enter the center wavelength and press the tune button. Be sure to reset the exposure time if needed. If you need to further optimize the signal you can adjust the focusing mirror by using the hex key provided with your LX spider. Then, activate the auto-exposure mode and set the spectral range to fundamental. Press the save calibration button and when you’re asked to replace the spectrum choose “no”.
| Figure 7. auto-exposure off | Figure 8. spectral range to second harmonic; checking the tune to the center of gravity (COG)box | Figure 9. activate auto-exposure set the spectral range to fundamental Press the safe calibration button, choose “no” to replace the spectrum |
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Step 4, Result: Then return the spectral range to the second harmonic. LX Spider will immediately show you the pulse in the spectral domain. The previously saved pulse spectrum will appear as a white curve and the current reconstruction of the spectral phase will appear as a blue curve. You can evaluate the chirp of the pulse from the curvature of the phase. If you’d like to see the actual temporal pulse shape click the time domain button. A second graph will open the display. The pulse shape at the Fourier limit is green and the actual pulse shape is a white curve.
| Figure 10. return the spectral range to the second harmonic | Figure 11. The previously saved pulse spectrum ( white curve) and the reconstructed spectral phase (blue curve) | Figure 12 click the time domain button. The pulse shape at the Fourier limit (green) and the actual pulse shape (white). |
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Results contain the following information:
- Pulse spectrum
- Pulse spectral phase
- Instant analysis of spectral phase
- instant evaluation of temporal pulse shape