Crystal streak camera

A high speed optical deflection system was designed for picosecond laser pulse diagnostics. Evaluation of a prototype system indicates that an ultracompact streak camera with picosecond resolution can be constructed. A commercially available electro-optic beam deflector with a 2-mm aperture ADP crystal is used in the prototype. This unit is capable of deflecting wavelengths from the visible to 1.06 microns. When high power single picosecond pulses are used, previous limitations of electro-optic deflectors due to single beam absorption, internal heating, and mechanical shock waves are overcome. At 532 nm, a resolution of 18 spot diameters is obtained, while the dynamic range in excess of 200 is limited by the readout system. Use of a crystal material with a much higher electro-optic coefficient produces a theoretical resolution comparable to that of electro-optic cameras. Readout is accomplished with film, a TV camera, or a linear diode array.