Spectra-Physics InSight X3 - CHAPTER 1: Introduction; InSight X3 Laser System

1-1
CHAPTER 1: Introduction
InSight X3 Laser System
InSight
®
X3
™
laser system represents a revolution in ultra-fast, solid-state lasers that can
generate ultra-short pulses over a gap-free range from 680 to 1300
nm.
The InSight X3 laser system is a pulsed, solid-state laser combined with dispersion
compensation. The latter corrects for the dispersion caused by the user’s optical system,
thus allowing the system to deliver the shortest pulse possible to the sample without the
need for complex external compensation. Control is automatic to ensure reliable
operation over the entire tuning range. This allows the user to focus on experiments,
rather than on laser adjustments.
An InSight X3 laser system comprises four main elements:
 InSight X3 mode-locked laser head
 Rackmountable IPS-300 power supply
 Rackmountable ThermoRack 401 chiller
 Rack for the power supply and chiller
 Optional Windows-based notebook computer with control software preinstalled
Figure 1-1 shows a typical standard InSight X3 laser system. In the figure, InSight X3
laser head is on the left. The IPS-300 power supply and ThermoRack chiller are shown
in the rack on the right.
Figure 1-1 InSight X3 mode-locked laser system
The InSight X3 laser is capable of hands-free, dropout-free wavelength tuning, enabling
speedy collection of excitation profiles, all with a click of a mouse.