Full synchronization of an optical multichannel analyzer for picosecond spectroscopy

Abstract

A continuous or slowly varying optical spectrum can be recorded electronically by means of an optical multichannel analyzer (PAR). However, this instrument is not very well suited for pulsed operation, especially at low repetition rates, as is the case with mode‐locked lasers. The interface described here converts this analyzer into a true pulse‐operated system, fully synchronized, and having a pulse selection capability. This interface provides an additional feature, ’’on line’’ background substraction, which corrects automatically for long range drifts of the dark current of the television picture tube.