Absolute calibration of optical streak cameras on picosecond time scales using supercontinuum generation

Abstract

We report a new method using high-stability, laser-driven supercontinuum generation in a liquid cell to calibrate the absolute photon response of fast optical streak cameras as a function of wavelength when operating at fastest sweep speeds. A stable, pulsed white light source based around the use of self-phase modulation in a salt solution was developed to provide the required brightness on picosecond time scales, enabling streak camera calibration in fully dynamic operation. The measured spectral brightness allowed for absolute photon response calibration over a broad spectral range (425-650 nm). Calibrations performed with two Axis Photonique streak cameras using the Photonis P820PSU streak tube demonstrated responses that qualitatively follow the photocathode response. Peak sensitivities were one photon/count above background. The absolute dynamic sensitivity is less than the static by up to an order of magnitude. We attribute this to the dynamic response of the phosphor being lower.

A high spatio-temporal resolution optical pyrometer at the ORION laser facility

“…10 A novel short pulse duration, high-brightness, and broad bandwidth white light source (few ps, over 10 µJ, and 400-1100 nm) was developed to calibrate the streak cameras under fully operational conditions. This source was produced by driving a liquid cell containing a near saturated solution of K 2 ZnCl 4 with laser pulses of 2 mJ, 500 fs duration, and 1054 nm centre wavelength.…”

Temporal and spatial resolutions of optical time stretch imaging with dispersive grating pair

“…An alternative approach for measurement of the dynamic behaviour luminous events is using ultrafast framing streak camera, which has unique attributes of excellent time resolution and superior sensitivity (4 , 5 ). But high-cost of this instrument greatly limits its wide range of practical applications (6 ). To overcome the limitations in the existed methods, various fast optical imaging techniques have been rapidly developed in recent years.…”