LaSpecMX Software

Open-architecture LabVIEW data acquisition software for FPAS pulse acquisition spectrometer systems. Full source code included.

LaSpecMX main acquisition screen LaSpecMX scan mode controls LaSpecMX data output view

Overview

LaSpecMX — Purpose-Built for FPAS Systems

The LaSpecMX (pronounced "Laze-spec") software was developed specifically for the FPAS-3216, FPAS-6416, and FPAS-0144 systems. Written in LabVIEW 2012, all source files, executable, and installer are provided — giving users full control to integrate and extend the software as needed.

The main screen presents data gathered from the detector array, with external input values listed to the right of the main graph. All values are scaled to 5-volt levels.

Compatible Systems

FPAS-3216 FPAS-6416 FPAS-6416-D FPAS-0144 FPAS-0144-D

Key Capabilities

  • Integration gate delay and width are fully user-adjustable, providing optimal signal-to-noise performance for any laser pulse profile.
  • Six scan modes: Background, Reference, Sample, Sample/Reference, Chopped, and Zero External Inputs.
  • Chopped mode uses an external chopper sync signal (via External Input #16) to phase-lock acquisition for alternating reference and signal data points.
  • Zero External Channels mode subtracts residual DC offsets from external inputs.
  • Stores up to 1 million complete scans of all channels for high-throughput experiments.
  • Open architecture with full LabVIEW source code — integrate all system assets within a single application.

Technical Data

LaSpecMX Specifications

Laser Pulse Repetition Rate 0 – 125 kHz
Integration Time Adjustable in steps from 50 to 5,100 ns
Integration Delay Adjustable in steps from 50 to 1,200 ns
Integrator Type Boxcar type — low-noise, current-steering, auto-reset integrator
Photoconductive Amplifier HgCdTe (MCT) — Low-noise 10 MHz amplifier with bias
Photovoltaic Amplifier (InSb) Low-noise FET 5 MHz amplifier with zero-volt bias
Photovoltaic Amplifier (PVMCT) HgCdTe (PVMCT) — Low-noise 10 MHz amplifier with zero-volt bias
A/D Conversion 16-bit, ±5 V input, multiplexed 16 channels per A/D converter
Maximum Scan Storage 1,000,000 complete scans of all channels
FIFO Memory 1024 × 16 FIFO
Data Communications FIFO read out via 20 MHz digital communications port
Typical Signal Level ~7 V from 80 fs laser at 7 µm
Equivalent Input Noise <1.5 nV/√Hz
System Signal-to-Noise >>100 dB (100,000:1) at 1,000 scans p-p
Digital Noise ±½ LSB
Typical System Noise ±2 LSB rms (1,000 scans @ 2 kHz laser rep rate)
Digital Dynamic Range −32,767 to +32,767 (16-bit, 65,535 counts)
Analog Dynamic Range −5 V to +5 V
Software Platform LabVIEW 2012 (source code, .exe, and installer provided)

Software Features

Scan Modes

Background

Records the residual detector signal level with no laser power applied — establishes the baseline for all other scan modes.

Reference (100%)

Captures full laser power with no sample present, representing the 100% transmission baseline.

Sample

Measures the difference between the background and the sample signal for direct absorption measurement.

Sample / Reference

Divides sample data by the reference data; a value of 1 indicates maximum transmission (100%).

Chopped

Uses a chopper in the optical path with the sync signal connected to External Input #16. Software phase-locks acquisition to alternate between reference and signal data points for improved noise rejection.

Zero External Inputs

Subtracts residual DC levels from all external input channels, eliminating offset errors from the acquired data.

Ready to get started with LaSpecMX?

LaSpecMX is included with every FPAS system purchase. Contact us to learn more about FPAS configurations or to request a quote.

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