Characterization of mid-infrared femtosecond pulses [Invited]

Abstract

We review different methods for characterizing mid-infrared femtosecond pulses, including linear methods such as electro-optic sampling, time-and frequency-domain interferometry, and nonlinear self-referenced methods such as frequency-resolved optical gating (FROG) and spectral phase interferometry for direct electric-field reconstruction (SPIDER). Of particular interest are methods based on upconversion through nonlinear mixing with chirped 800 nm pulses, enabling a complete measurement of mid-infrared pulses with visible-light spectrometers.

Frequency-resolved optical gating capable of carrier-envelope phase determination

“…The accuracy of the CEP decreases to 0.5p at the TOD of À 75 fs 3 , where the pulse duration is 6 fs. Thus, the upper limit of the pulse duration can be estimated as 6 fs for characterization of 800 nm pulses with self-referencing.…”

“…This allows us to apply the FROG concept for a very wide wavelength range. In fact, FROG has been applied from the midinfrared 3 to extreme ultraviolet 4 regions so far.…”

Pulse shaping and its characterization of mid-infrared femtosecond pulses: Toward coherent control of molecules in the ground electronic states

“…Pulse characterization of mid-infrared femtosecond laser has been continuously developed with the progress of the generation and shaping of mid-infrared laser pulses, and was summarized in a review article [24]. The electro-optic sampling has been developed to detect the terahertz radiation generated by an optical rectification, and extended to the mid-infrared region [25][26][27][28][29].…”

“…Joffre and co-workers have applied the SPIDER to characterize the mid-infrared pulses with the wavelength between 3 lm and 5 lm [24,30]. They simplified the method by using 800 nm reference light derived from the zero-order diffraction of the compressor in a chirped-pulse amplifier and mixed with the mid-infrared pulse in a LiNbO 3 crystal.…”

High-sensitivity ultrashort mid-infrared pulse characterization by modified interferometric field autocorrelation

“…An excellent review about MIR pulse characterization techniques can be found in [4]. Autocorrelation and cross-correlation measurements were used in estimating the durations (50-150 fs) of MIR pulses centered at 3-20 μm wavelengths [5], while the exact temporal shapes were unavailable.…”