The Spirit-NOPA is a family of automated non-collinear optical parametric amplifiers (NOPA) specifically built and optimized for the industry-proven Spirit® HE and Spirit® One™ ultrafast lasers. The turn-key, high repetition rate Spirit femtosecond laser combines with the Spirit-NOPA to create a powerful, user-friendly tunable, high repetition rate source of ultrashort pulses for in-vivo, deep tissue imaging in neuroscience, spectroscopy, and other ultrafast scientific applications.
Applications
- Bio-Imaging
- Three-photon excitation microscopy (3PF)
- Optogenetics
- Light Sheet Microscopy
- Ultrafast Spectroscopy
- Nanomaterials Science
- Ultrafast Surface Dynamics
- Multi-dimensional Spectroscopy
Specifications
Spirit NOPA Output Specifications
| Spirit-NOPA-3H | Spirit-NOPA-2H | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuning Range | 520–900 nm | 650–900 nm |
| Pulse Energy2 | 0.5 µJ at 580 nm (peak); 0.25 µJ at 700 nm |
3 µJ at 700 nm (peak); 1.2 µJ at 850 nm |
| Pulse Width | <30 fs at 530–670 nm; <80 fs at 670–800 nm |
<30 fs at 700–850 nm |
Spirit NOPA Optional SHG Output
| Spirit-NOPA-3H | Spirit-NOPA-2H | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuning Range | 260-450 nm | 325-450 nm |
| Pulse Energy2 | 0.05 µJ at 290 nm (peak) | 0.3 µJ at 350 nm (peak) |
Spirit NOPA Pump Requirements4 from Spirit
| Spirit-NOPA-3H | Spirit-NOPA-2H | |
|---|---|---|
| Repetition Rate | Single shot to 1 MHz | |
| Wavelength | 1030 nm or 1040 nm | |
| Pulse Energy5 | 12–120 µJ | 10–120 µJ |
| Max. Input Power | 8 W | |
Spirit-NOPA-VISIR Output Specifications
| Spirit-NOPA-VISIR | |
|---|---|
| Tuning Range | 650-900 nm (signal) 1200-2500 nm (idler) |
| Conversion Efficiency | >10% at peak, when pumped at >20 µJ (uncompressed signal + idler combined) |
| Pulse Width3 | <350 fs uncompressed2 <70 fs at 650–900 nm with signal compressor; <100 fs at 1200–2000 nm with idler compressor |
| Compressor Transmission | Signal prism compressor: >65% at 650–900 nm Idler bulk compressor: >80% at 1200–2000 nm |
Spirit-NOPA-VISIR Optional SHG Output
| Spirit-NOPA-VISIR | |
|---|---|
| Tuning Range | 325–450 nm (SH of signal) 600–700 nm (SH of idler) |
| Pulse Energy2 | >10% of signal/idler at peak |
Spirit-NOPA-VISIR Optional Dual Pulse Length Configuration
| Spirit-NOPA-VISIR | |
|---|---|
| Tuning Range in Long Pulse Mode | 650–1025 nm (signal) 1040–2500 nm (idler) Uncompressed output |
Footnotes:
- Due to our continuous product improvement program, specifications are subject to change without notice.
- When pumped with 40 µJ at 1040 nm. For other pump levels, please contact Spectra-Physics.
- Compressors for signal and/or idler are options.
- Spirit-NOPA pump parameters are determined at the time of order and are set at the factory.
- The Spirit-NOPA is a Class IV – High Power Laser, whose beam is, by definition, a safety and fire hazard. Take precautions to prevent exposure to the direct and reflected beams. Diffuse as well as specular reflections can cause severe skin or eye damage.
Features
Compatible Power Sensors
To verify and analyze the output power of your Spirit-NOPA laser, we recommend contacting Ophir for thermal power sensor and Centauri laser power meter. Additional information on this laser measurement equipment can be found on the ophiropt.com website. Other Ophir sensors and meters may also be suitable for the Spirit-NOPA, depending on application. Ophir also works with laser system developers to achieve embedded beam diagnostics to monitor system performance as an OEM solution.
Spirit-NOPA-VISIR Peformance for 3-Photon Imaging
In combination with our industry-proven Spirit platform,the Spirit-NOPA-VISIR provides an ideal platform for 3-photon excitation microscopy. Spirit-NOPA-VISIR comprises two amplification stages. The first amplification stage is non-collinear, which generates broad bandwidth,and the second amplification stage is collinear, which enables a broad tuning range.
Spirit-NOPA-VISIR provides a broadly tunable output of ultrashort pulses with a tuning range of 650 nm to 900 nm (signal) and 1200 nm to 2500 nm (idler), including key wavelengths for deep-tissue, 3-photon imaging. Optionally, the signal output can be compressed down to <70 fs using an external prism-based compressor unit, and the idler output down to <100 fs, using an integrated bulk compressor.
The Spirit-NOPA-VISIR is fully computer controlled to enable user-friendly operation. To cover 2P excitation imaging and applications in optogenetics as well, the Spirit-NOPA-VISIR can be configured with a dual pulse length option. With this option, narrow bandwidth, uncompressed laser pulses are available over an extended tuning range of the Spirit-NOPA-VISIR, closing the gap between signal and idler. The dual pulse length option is ideally suited for photostimulation of neurons in optogenetics and excitation of fluorescent dyes in the 900 nm to 1200 nm spectral range.
Spirit NOPA Built-In Harmonic Generator
Spirit-NOPA-3H includes a built-in third harmonic generator and its output is tunable from 520 nm to 900 nm with a pulse width as short as sub-30 fs and an output energy up to >0.5 μJ.
Spirit-NOPA-2H includes a built-in second harmonic generator, to convert the Spirit IR beam to 520 nm. The output of the Spirit-NOPA-2H is tunable from 650 nm to 900 nm with a pulse width as short as sub-30 fs and an output energy up to >3 μJ.
Spirit-NOPA (-3H, -2H) is fully computer controlled to allow for easy wavelength tunability. Its built-in bandwidth selector and integrated computer controlled compressor provide a pulse width agility unmatched by other ultrafast laser technologies.
Resources
Selection Guides
Spirit Component Selection Guide(952.7 kB, PDF)
Technical Articles
In Vivo Three-photon Imaging of Activity of GCaMP6-labeled Neurons Deep in Intact Mouse Brain(930.8 kB, PDF) Laser Lights Up Deep Layers of ‘Mini-brains’ Optics, Tunable Lasers to Move Multiphoton Microscopy Forward
Drawings & CAD
Spirit NOPA Dimensions(401.5 kB, PDF)
