Programmable generation of ultrafast optical waveforms: recent advances in theory and technology

Marc M. Wefers; Keith A. Nelson

doi:10.1117/12.206413

10 April 1995 Programmable generation of ultrafast optical waveforms: recent advances in theory and technology

Marc M. Wefers, Keith A. Nelson

Proceedings Volume 2377, Generation, Amplification, and Measurement of Ultrashort Laser Pulses II; (1995) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.206413
Event: Photonics West '95, 1995, San Jose, CA, United States

Abstract

Recent advances in the shaping of ultrafast optical waveforms using liquid crystal (LC) spatial light modulators (SLM) are presented. Two LC SLMs are used in a novel arrangement to produce programmable waveforms with specified time-dependent amplitude and temporal phase profiles with the greatest fidelity and complexity to date. The apparatus is also used to demonstrate the generation of an ultrafast waveform with a programmable time-dependent polarization profile. A general theoretical result that describes the space-time electric field profile of waveforms shaped by the spectral filtering of spatially separated frequency components is also presented. The main result is that diffraction gives rise to a translational spatial shift in the electric field profile that varies linearly with time along the shaped waveform.

Citation Download Citation

Marc M. Wefers and Keith A. Nelson "Programmable generation of ultrafast optical waveforms: recent advances in theory and technology", Proc. SPIE 2377, Generation, Amplification, and Measurement of Ultrashort Laser Pulses II, (10 April 1995); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.206413

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