[SourceLab Seminar] Temporal characterization of a laser pulse in the time domain using tunneling ionization

durch Prof. Kyung Taec Kim (Gwangju Institute of Science & Technology (GIST) & Associate Director, Center for Relativistic Laser Science (CoReLS), Institute for Basic Science (IBS))

Freitag 05.02.2021, 10:00 → 12:00 Europe/Berlin

The temporal characterization of a laser pulse is an essential task in studying ultrafast light-matter interactions. Several conventional techniques such as FROG, SPIDER, and DSCAN are readily available. However, these conventional methods are frequency-domain techniques that can be applied at a specific wavelength for a limited duration range. Recently, a new temporal characterization method called tunneling ionization with a perturbation for the time-domain observation of an electric-field (TIPTOE) has been introduced [1–4]. The TIPTOE method utilizes extreme nonlinearity of ionization for the temporal characterization of a laser pulse. Sub-cycle tunneling ionization in the laser pulse acts as a temporal gate in the time domain. Due to this unique approach, the TIPTOE method has advantages over the other conventional methods. The TIPTOE method can be generally applied for a broad spectral range from UV to IR and for a wide duration range from sub-femtosecond to picosecond. It can also be used to measure pre- and post-pulses with an exceptional dynamic range, thus making the method suitable for the investigation of ultrafast light-matter interactions. In this talk, we present the basic idea of the TIPTOE method and demonstrate the temporal characterization of laser pulses from UV to IR. The reconstruction algorithm developed for the TIPTOE measurement is also discussed. Finally, recent experimental activities, including the pulse contrast measurement, will be introduced.

 

References

1. S. B. Park, K. Kim, W. Cho, S. I. Hwang, I. Ivanov, C. H. Nam, and K. T. Kim, "Direct sampling of a light wave in air," Optica, OPTICA 5(4), 402–408 (2018).

2. W. Cho, S. I. Hwang, C. H. Nam, M. R. Bionta, P. Lassonde, B. E. Schmidt, H. Ibrahim, F. Légaré, and K. T. Kim, "Temporal characterization of femtosecond laser pulses using tunneling ionization in the UV, visible, and mid-IR ranges," Scientific Reports 9(1), 1–11 (2019).

3. S. I. Hwang, S. B. Park, J. H. Mun, W. Cho, C. H. Nam, and K. T. Kim, "Generation of a single-cycle pulse using a two-stage compressor and its temporal characterization using a tunnelling ionization method | Scientific Reports," Scientific Report 9, 1613 (2019).

4. M. Kurucz, R. Flender, L. Haizer, R. S. Nagymihaly, W. Cho, K. T. Kim, S. Toth, E. Cormier, and B. Kiss, "2.3-cycle mid-infrared pulses from hybrid thin-plate post-compression at 7 W average power," Optics Communications 472, 126035 (2020).

YouTube Link