Synthesis and characterization of space-time light sheets: A tutorial

TL;DR

This tutorial details the synthesis and characterization of space-time light sheets, a novel class of pulsed optical beams with unique properties like propagation invariance and tunable velocities, expanding the capabilities of structured light.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive methodology for synthesizing and characterizing space-time light sheets, a new form of spatiotemporally structured light with unique propagation features.

Findings

Successful synthesis of space-time light sheets with localized transverse profiles

Characterization schemes for benchmarking their propagation invariance and group velocity

Demonstration of the unique properties of space-time light sheets in linear media

Abstract

Space-time wave packets (STWPs) are a new class of pulsed optical beams with many unique and intriguing attributes, including propagation invariance and tunable group velocity in linear optical media. STWPs are a form of spatiotemporally structured light, so their synthesis poses challenges that are not shared by conventional monochromatic structured light fields. We present here a detailed description of the synthesis of STWPs that are localized along one transverse dimension and uniform along the other; i.e., space-time light sheets. We also describe the main characterization schemes needed for benchmarking the unique properties of space-time light sheets.