Abstract.
We report on the diffraction of ultrashort laser pulses by single and double slits. The first-order diffraction was investigated as a function of the spectral bandwidth and the temporal duration of the laser pulses as well as a function of the pulse-front distortion. It is shown that a double slit scanned across the laser beam is a simple and appropriate tool for measuring distortions of the laser pulse front. In addition the second-order diffraction using second-harmonic generation has been investigated. A properly designed double-slit arrangement in combination with a nonlinear crystal may be used as a simple autocorrelator which has major advantages for ultrashort laser pulses.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Received: 6 September 1999 / Revised version: 6 January 2000 / Published online: 19 April 2000
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Netz, R., Feurer, T. Diffraction of ultrashort laser pulses and applications for measuring pulse front distortion and pulse width . Appl Phys B 70, 813–819 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/PL00021140
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/PL00021140