Development of time sequencing and synchronizing electronics for double pulse laser ablation experiments

A timing synchronization scheme has been designed and developed to synchronize multiple lasers and various diagnostics systems in a predefined programmable sequence. Two different approaches viz a conventional module based and the other an inexpensive field programmable gate array (FPGA) based time sequencing device have been presented to achieve the tedious task of synchronizing two (or more) free running lasers and single mode operated various diagnostic systems with a jitter of less than or equal to plus or minus 1 nsec in a harsh environment where EM interference exists to a significant level. Advantages, disadvantages and optimization of various parameters of these two schemes are briefly discussed. Test spectra of lithium lines and theoretical simulations are illustrated to demonstrate the satisfactory performance of the developed timing circuit.