Dual-grating single-shot pump-probe technique

TL;DR

This paper introduces a simple single-shot pump-probe method using dual gratings that captures ultrafast material dynamics over a 95.58 ps window, surpassing previous techniques in simplicity and range.

Contribution

The novel technique uses only two commercial gratings to achieve large time windows without phase issues, simplifying ultrafast measurements.

Findings

Successfully measured ultrafast processes in ZnSe and indolium squaraine.

Achieved a 95.58 ps time window exceeding previous single-shot methods.

Eliminated phase difference problems present in echelon encoding.

Abstract

A simple and effective single-shot pump-probe technique is reported for studying the ultrafast dynamic processes in various materials. Using only two commercial gratings, a large time window of ~ 95.58 ps is spatially encoded in a single probe pulse, and single-shot time-resolved measurements are implemented. This time window exceeds the maximum reported values for single-shot pump-probe techniques using the echelon or angle beam encoding strategy. The phase difference problem in the echelon encoding strategies is also eliminated and a customized echelon is not needed in this technique. The ultrafast dynamic processes of ZnSe and indolium squaraine at a wavelength of 650 nm were investigated using this technique.