Work

Variable electro-optic shearing interferometry for ultrafast single-photon-level pulse characterization

Year: 2022

Type: article

Abstract: Despite the multitude of available methods, the characterization of ultrafast pulses remains a challenging endeavor, especially at the single-photon level. We introduce a pulse characterization scheme that maps the magnitude of its short-time Fourier transform. Contrary to many well-known solutions it does not require nonlinear effects and is therefore suitable for single-photon-level measurements. Our method is based on introducing a series of controlled time and frequency shifts, where the latter is performed via an electro-optic modulator allowing a fully-electronic experimental control. We characterized the full spectral and temporal width of a classical and single-photon-level pulse and successfully tested the applicability of the reconstruction algorithm of the spectral phase and amplitude. The method can be extended by implementing a phase-sensitive measurement and is naturally well-suited to partially-incoherent light.

Source: Optics Express

DOI: 10.1364/oe.471108

Authors: Stanisław Kurzyna, Marcin Jastrzębski, Nicolas Fabre, Wojciech Wasilewski, Michał Lipka, Michał Parniak

Institutions: University of Warsaw, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, University of Copenhagen

Language: English

Topic: Laser-Matter Interactions and Applications

Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,270