Femtosecond pulse shaping using spatial light modulators
Abstract
We review the field of femtosecond pulse shaping, in which Fourier synthesis methods are used to generate nearly arbitrarily shaped ultrafast optical wave forms according to user specification. An emphasis is placed on programmable pulse shaping methods based on the use of spatial light modulators. After outlining the fundamental principles of pulse shaping, we then present a detailed discussion of pulse shaping using several different types of spatial light modulators. Finally, new research directions in pulse shaping, and applications of pulse shaping to optical communications, biomedical optical imaging, high power laser amplifiers, quantum control, and laser-electron beam interactions are reviewed.
- Publication:
-
Review of Scientific Instruments
- Pub Date:
- May 2000
- DOI:
- 10.1063/1.1150614
- Bibcode:
- 2000RScI...71.1929W
- Keywords:
-
- 42.65.Re;
- 42.79.Hp;
- 01.30.Rr;
- 42.60.Fc;
- Ultrafast processes;
- optical pulse generation and pulse compression;
- Optical processors correlators and modulators;
- Surveys and tutorial papers;
- resource letters;
- Modulation tuning and mode locking