Advanced synchronization techniques enable novel ultrafast science

The most popular technique for modern time-resolved spectroscopy is pump-probe spectroscopy, which can be configured to measure transients corresponding to molecular properties. The technique requires two optical pulses that are aligned both spatially and temporally with respect to each other. The first pulse, typically of higher energy, induces a transient effect in the sample that is then sampled by the second pulse. The time resolution is determined by the duration of the optical probe. The high-energy, ultrafast laser system generally uses chirped pulse amplification (CPA) to convert ultrafast low energy (nJ) oscillator pulses to higher energy (mJ) pulses. The CPA process requires several laser sources to operate in synchrony that includes the seed laser, used to generate the ultrafast pulse, the amplification pump laser, used to power the amplification stage and the amplifier. The digital synchronization modules such as the Spectra-Physics Timing and Delay Generator (TDG) improve precision and allow for multiple amplifier systems to be synchronized.