Single-shot carrier-envelope-phase measurement in ambient air

TL;DR

This paper introduces a compact, single-shot method for measuring the carrier-envelope phase of laser pulses in ambient air using CEP-dependent photocurrents, enabling high-repetition-rate CEP tagging in practical environments.

Contribution

A novel phase meter based on CEP-dependent photocurrents in ambient air that allows for high-speed, single-shot CEP measurements under real-world conditions.

Findings

Enables CEP measurement in ambient air with high temporal resolution.

Supports high repetition rates for CEP tagging.

Simplifies implementation at longer wavelengths.

Abstract

The ability to measure and control the carrier envelope phase (CEP) of few-cycle laser pulses is of paramount importance for both frequency metrology and attosecond science. Here, we present a phase meter relying on the CEP-dependent photocurrents induced by circularly polarized few-cycle pulses focused between electrodes in ambient air. The new device facilitates compact single-shot, CEP measurements under ambient conditions and promises CEP tagging at repetition rates orders of magnitude higher than most conventional CEP detection schemes as well as straightforward implementation at longer wavelengths.