Ian Walmsley

Abstract:

We demonstrate a simple sensitive linear technique that quantifies the spatiotemporal coupling in the electric field of an ultrashort optical pulse. The space-time uniformity of the field can be determined with only time-stationary filters and square-law integrating detectors, even if it is impossible to measure the temporal electric field in this way. A degree of spatiotemporal uniformity is defined and can be used with the demonstrated diagnostic to quantify space-time coupling. Experimental measurements of space-time coupling due to linear and nonlinear focusing, refraction, and diffraction are presented.

Abstract:

We present a new technique for the direct measurement of the two-point field correlation function of a monochromatic light source based on carrier-encoded lateral shearing interferometry. The technique provides a higher dynamic range and a significant reduction of the amount of data compared with previously demonstrated methods. We demonstrate the measurement of coherent and partially coherent sources.

Abstract:

We report the complete spatiotemporal characterization of ultrashort light pulses by use of a self-referencing device based on shearing interferometry in the space and frequency domains. The apparatus combines a spatially resolved spectral shearing interferometer with a spectrally resolved spatial shearing interferometer. The electric field as a function of one transverse spatial coordinate and time is obtained from a single experimental trace by means of a direct and fast algebraic phase reconstruction algorithm. The method has been tested in several common laboratory situations.