Real-Time Optical Time Interpolation Using Spectral Interferometry

TL;DR

This paper presents a novel all-optical time interpolation method using spectral interferometry, enabling femtosecond-level timing measurements with potential for single-shot operation and minimal system modifications.

Contribution

It introduces a simple spectral interferometry scheme for real-time optical time interpolation capable of single-shot measurements and high precision.

Findings

Femtosecond-level absolute timing achieved

Single-shot measurement capability demonstrated

Minimal modifications needed for existing optical systems

Abstract

A simple scheme for all-optical time interpolation using spectral interferometry is put forward that is in principle capable of single-shot measurements. In this method, the arrival time of optical timing pulses is encoded into the spectrum of a time-stretched supercontinuum via cross-phase modulation. The proof-of-concept test setup points toward femtosecond-level absolute timing capabilities with only minor additions to modern optical clockwork.