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Title: Generation and characterization of spatially and temporally localized few-cycle optical wave packets

Journal Article · · Physical Review. A
; ; ; ; ;  [1];  [2]; ; ;  [3]
  1. Max-Born-Institut fuer Nichtlineare Optik und Kurzzeitspektroskopie, Max-Born-Strasse 2A, D-12489 Berlin, (Germany)
  2. Bremer Institut fuer Angewandte Strahltechnik, Klagenfurter Strasse 2, D-28359 Bremen, (Germany)
  3. Universite Laval, Departement de Physique, COPL, Quebec, Canada G1K 7P4 (Canada)

Direct experimental evidence of localized few-cycle wave packets with a characteristic spatiotemporal X shape is reported. These wave packets are also referred to as X pulses. For their generation, a Ti:sapphire laser beam was transformed into single and array-shaped Bessel-like beams by using broadband refractive and reflective thin-film axicons. Extremely small conical angles allow a reduction of the spatially induced group velocity dispersion and therefore enhance the contrast. Complete first and second order spatiotemporal autocorrelation maps of sub-10-fs localized wave packets are measured and are compared with numerical simulations. High-power X pulses open further prospects for advanced nonlinear optical experiments like the formation of spatiotemporal solitons.

OSTI ID:
20639828
Journal Information:
Physical Review. A, Vol. 67, Issue 6; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevA.67.063820; (c) 2003 The American Physical Society; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1050-2947
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English