Universal in-line waveform characterization using arbitrary non-linear responses

TL;DR

This paper introduces a universal, non-intrusive in-line waveform characterization method using arbitrary nonlinear responses and open-source algorithms, enabling rapid, accurate ultrashort pulse diagnostics suitable for routine use.

Contribution

It presents a new universal framework for in-line ultrashort pulse characterization that is adaptable, low-cost, and compatible with various experimental setups, including ATAS.

Findings

Achieves attosecond accuracy in waveform retrieval within minutes.

Works across diverse media and nonlinear observables.

Enables non-invasive, real-time pulse diagnostics during experiments.

Abstract

Contemporary schemes for waveform-resolved characterization are constrained by setup-specific requirements, which severely limits their adaptability and fails to establish standard procedures for routine in-line diagnostic. This work reports a comprehensive experimental demonstration that relative yield measurements from a broad variety of media and nonlinear observables, combined with our family of open-source reconstruction algorithms (CRIME and lazyCRIME), allow for robust waveform retrieval with attosecond accuracy on a standard workstation in just minutes. We have further adapted this framework to multiple configurations -- including non-invasive, simultaneous waveform characterization during an attosecond transient absorption spectroscopy (ATAS) experiment -- showcasing the low-cost and non-intrusive nature of the new pulse characterization approach. Together, this work establishes an easy-to-implement universal characterization scheme for in-line diagnostic of ultrashort pulses that is readily accessible to the broader ultrafast science community.