Measurement of ultrashort vector pulses from polarization gates by in-line, single-channel spectral interferometry

TL;DR

This paper introduces a simple, robust in-line spectral interferometry method using birefringent bulk interferometers to accurately characterize ultrashort vector pulses with time-varying polarization, suitable for various experimental conditions.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel in-line, single-channel spectral interferometry technique based on birefringence for stable and sensitive measurement of ultrashort vector pulses.

Findings

Successfully measured vector pulses with polarization gates

Validated results through simulations

Potential applications in nonlinear optics phenomena

Abstract

The growing use of ultrashort laser pulses exhibiting time-varying polarization (vector pulses) demands simple and robust characterization techniques capable to perform measurements in a broad range of experimental and environmental conditions. Here we present in-line, single-channel setup based on spectral interferometry to characterize ultrashort vector pulses. The use of a bulk interferometer based on birefringence is key for the stability and sensitivity of the technique, thus being simple and highly robust. The technique is used to measure vector pulses corresponding to polarization gates, which are used in many applications. Those results are validated by simulations. The technique here presented has a number of potential applications in nonlinear effects (e.g. transient birefringence and nonlinear phenomena with vector pulses).