HELIOS Fire
Femtosecond Transient Absorption Spectrometer
HELIOS Fire is the next generation, automated femtosecond Transient Absorption Spectrometer in the HELIOS family. Among its numerous advantages, HELIOS Fire features a 100-fold boost in sensitivity, allowing to study more delicate samples. This, together with our patented automated beam alignment system (Patent No.: US 10,209,131), delivers a new level of performance and user-friendliness. In addition to being virtually hands-off, HELIOS Fire allows for customization with its easily removable side panels and improved optical layout.
Broad probe spectral range
Spectral ranges available:
with Ti:Sapphire lasers: with Yb lasers: 270-390 nm
350-750 nm
320-650 nm
480-950 nm
420-780 nm
800-1600 nm
760-840 nm
1600-2400 nm
820-1600 nm
1600-2400 nm
Spectral resolution optimized for transient absorption
For transient absorption higher spectral resolution is not always better. It is important to map out all the spectral features, but it is also critical to deliver enough probe light to each pixel of the detector. These two parameters counteract, and it is necessary to balance them. With not enough probe light the full sensor dynamic range will not be utilized the data will be noisy; and with not enough spectral resolution important species or processes can be missed. This is why we configure the spectral resolution sufficient for resolving what is practical in condensed phase experiments, but not excessively high to allow for enough probe light intensity on the detector.
Spectral Range Intrinsic spectral resolution Spectral resolution with a 200 µm slit (recommended) UV-VIS
2 nm
4 nm
NIR
5 nm
13 nm
SWIR
5 nm
13 nm
8 ns time window. Extendable to ms.
The nanosecond window is achieved by using a direct-drive high speed optical delay line. Custom designed mounts are employed for the delay line optics to increase the beam alignment reproducibility and the overall reliability. This delay line features high resolution as well as high speed. Scanning at high speeds is very important because it allows for pseudo-random stepping without a significant increase in the experiment time. This type of stepping is very useful for minimizing the effects of laser instability and sample degradation.
The standard 8 ns time window extendable to milliseconds with the EOS add-on.
Optical delay line specifications:
Time window: 8 ns
Resolution: 14 fs
Minimum step size: 2.8 fs
Max. speed: >10 ns/s
Acceleration: > 260 ns/s^2
Automated alignment time: 3-5 min
Beam pointing drift: <10 µm over 8 ns delay range
Enhanced sensitivity – compatible with nJ pump energy levels
We optimized the optical design of Helios to maximize the transient signals levels. Below is a data example for ZnTPP (Zn Tetra-phenyl-porphyrin) with the pump energy of 40 nJ/pulse.
Various automation options, including full automation
Automated optical delay line alignment (Smart Delay LineTM)
Automated Pump Beam Alignment. The HELIOS Fire software ensures continuous optimal overlap of the pump and probe beams in a sample with <10 µm precision.
Automated switching between UV, VIS, NIR and SWIR spectral ranges
Detectors
All Helios Fire detectors are fiber-coupled spectrographs with linear array detectors. Each spectrograph has an aberration-corrected concave grating for maximum light throughput (essential for high quality data). The ADC resolution is up to 16 bit. All detectors are mounted in a 19” electronics rack outside the optical bench.
UV-VIS. We have two detector options for this spectral range:
CMOS. This 1024 pixel CMOS sensor is ideal for higher speed data acquisition. Allows for individual laser pulse detection for up to 5 kHz. Spectral response: 200 – 1000 nm. Typical spectral range spans 600 nm (ie. 350 – 950 nm).
CCD. This 2048 pixel back-thinned CCD sensor is ideal for 1 – 2 kHz lasers and features very high sensitivity as well as the dynamic range. Spectral response: 200 – 1000 nm. Typical spectral range spans 600 nm (ie. 350 – 950 nm). Spectral acquisition rate – up to 2000 spectra/s.
NIR spectral range. This 256 pixel InGaAs sensor presents a great balance between spectral resolution and sensitivity. Spectral response: 800 – 1600 nm. Typical spectral range spans 800 nm (ie. 800 – 1600 nm). Spectral acquisition rate – up to 5000 spectra/s.
SWIR spectral range. 256 pixel InGaAs sensor (spectral response: 1000 – 2600 nm). Typical spectral range spans 800 nm (ie. 1600 – 2400 nm). Spectral acquisition rate – up to 5000 spectra/s.
Large sample area – 300 mm x 300 mm
The spacious sample compartment allows for easy mounting of various cryostats and temperature-controlled sample holders. Also, simply having more space around the sample makes working with your samples simpler.
All-reflective probe management for maximum temporal resolution
The instrument response function is a cross-correlation of the pump and probe pulses.
Modular design
HELIOS comprises an enclosed optical bench containing all necessary optical and optomechanical components and a 19” rack enclosing all required electronics and a PC. The rack mounted PC contains the necessary data acquisition hardware and software. The optical bench is connected to the rack by a shielded umbilical cord. This architecture allows keeping all regularly accessed parts of the system within reach, while protecting and consolidating all auxiliary components in a steel rack.
Optical bench:
W457 x L915 x H250 mm
Delay line:
W280 x L915 x H250 mm
Electronics rack:
W534 x L610 x H686 mm
Various sample holder options
Magnetic stirring allows for working with sealed cuvettes (≥2 mm long) while the translating sample holder can raster thinner cuvettes that cannot be stirred, films, wafers, etc. The two sample agitation modes are easily interchangeable without having to unbolt or realign any components.
Probe reference option
HELIOS has an option for a second probe (reference) channel. In this variant the probe beam is split into two before passing through the sample. While one arm travels through the sample, the other is sent directly to the reference spectrometer that monitors the fluctuations in the probe beam intensity. The main advantage of this approach is that it allows the user to achieve the specified signal-to-noise ratio with a lower number of averaged laser pulses. This method is primarily used for the experiments with low repetition rate and/or easily photodegradable samples where the number of laser shots is strongly limited.
Optional computer-controlled filter wheel
for varying pump energy, etc.
Transient Absorption Microscope Extension
Spatial Resolution
< 3 μm
Spectral Range
450 – 750 nm
The HELIOS Fire data acquisition software has built-in support for the automated alignment of all critical optical elements for largely hands-off operation.
The software is also very user-friendly and versatile:
Automated alignment of the optical delay line.
Automated alignment of the pump beam.
Computer controlled switching between UV, VIS, NIR and SWIR modes.
Supports computer controlled translating sample holder.
Support pump beam shutter.
Supports motorized filter wheel for automated pump intensity control.
Saves every individual kinetic scan, so if experiment is aborted (due to laser fluctuations, power outages, etc.), all previous scans are not lost.
Threshold adjusted automatic continuum spike rejection- advanced setting which collects data points again if the continuum is not stable.
Automatic anisotropy calculation when appropriate optics are used and a reference channel is included.
Support for multiple choppers to facilitate customized experiments.
API (Application Programming Interface) for HELIOS Fire is provided for further experiment customization and integration with external applications.
商品属性 [波长范围] 320 – 2400 nm