Simple devices for measuring complex ultrashort pulses

We describe experimentally simple, accurate, and reliable methods for measuring from very simple to potentially very complex ultrashort laser pulses. With only a few easily aligned components, these methods allow the measurement of a wide range of pulses, including those with time‐bandwidth products greater than 1000 and those with energies of only a few hundred photons. In addition, two new, very simple methods allow the measurement of the complete spatio‐temporal intensity and phase of even complex pulses on a single shot or at a tight focus.