NSF Award
9361715
9361715 Kane We propose to develop an instrument that would completely characterize (measure the intensity and phase) two ultrashort laser pulses simultaneously, ultimately in a single shot, which would facilitate measurement of low energy ultrashort pulses, help to characterize ultrashort laser systems, and would also allow sub-pulse dynamics to be resolved. The proposed device is based on a newly invented technique to measure the intensity and phase of ultrashort light pulses called frequently-resolved optical gating (FROG). However, rather than use the pulse to gate itself via the optical Kerr effect, the proposed technique uses an unknown pulse to gate a different unknown pulse. Like FROG, the gated pulse is spectrally resolved for a series of time delays. The intensity and phase of both pulses is found by using two-dimensional phase retrieval methods that are commonly used in astronomy and image processing to deblur images. This device would not only measure pulses, but would provide insight into ultrafast laser operation as well and hence allow them to be used more easily and more effectively. Immediate commercial applications are directed toward use as a diagnostic for existing ultrafast laser systems for which few are currently available. Future commercial applications include use as research tool for industry, academia, and government. *** v s t $ $ $ ( F / h h / 1 Courier Symbol & Arial 5 Courier New h c c c " h YB %YB % c C R:\WW20USER\ABSTRACT.DOT Denise Henry Denise Henry
