Space-time coupling of shaped ultrafast ultraviolet pulses from an acousto-optic programmable dispersive filter

TL;DR

This paper provides a detailed experimental analysis of the spatio-temporal coupling effects in ultrafast UV pulses shaped by an acousto-optic programmable dispersive filter, revealing a group-delay-dependent displacement as the key mechanism.

Contribution

It offers the first comprehensive measurement and explanation of the spatio-temporal coupling effects in AOPDF-shaped pulses, with implications for quantum control.

Findings

Coupling effects are due to a group-delay-dependent displacement.

Quantitative agreement between measured and calculated coupling speed.

Implications for improving quantum control experiments.

Abstract

A comprehensive experimental analysis of spatio-temporal coupling effects inherent to the acousto-optic programmable dispersive filter (AOPDF) is presented. Phase and amplitude measurements of the AOPDF transfer function are performed using spatially and spectrally resolved interferometry. Spatio-temporal and spatio-spectral coupling effects are presented for a range of shaped pulses that are commonly used in quantum control experiments. These effects are shown to be attributable to a single mechanism: a group-delay--dependent displacement of the shaped pulse. The physical mechanism is explained and excellent quantitative agreement between the measured and calculated coupling speed is obtained. The implications for quantum control experiments are discussed.