Open AccessHigh dynamic, high resolution and wide range single shot temporal pulse contrast measurement
Author(s) -
O. Thomas,
Pierre Bizouard,
O. Albert,
Stefan Bock,
U. Schramm
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.25.012588
Subject(s) - optics , temporal resolution , laser , dynamic range , high dynamic range , pulse (music) , wavefront , tilt (camera) , physics , single shot , spectrometer , interferometry , range (aeronautics) , image resolution , materials science , detector , mechanical engineering , composite material , engineering
A novel apparatus for the single-shot measurement of the temporal pulse contrast of modern ultra-short pulse lasers is presented, based on a simple yet conceptual refinement of the self-referenced spectral interferometry (SRSI) approach. The introduction of the spatial equivalent of a temporal delay by tilted beams analyzed with a high quality imaging spectrometer, enables unprecedented performance in dynamic, temporal range and resolution simultaneously. Demonstrated consistently in simulation and experiment at the front-end of the PW laser Draco, the full range of the ps temporal contrast defining the quality of relativistic laser-solid interaction could be measured with almost 80 dB dynamic range, 18ps temporal window, and 18fs temporal resolution. Additionally, spatio-temporal coupling as in the case of a pulse front tilt can be quantitatively explored.