Abstract

We demonstrate a simple sensitive linear technique that quantifies the spatiotemporal coupling in the electric field of an ultrashort optical pulse. The space–time uniformity of the field can be determined with only time-stationary filters and square-law integrating detectors, even if it is impossible to measure the temporal electric field in this way. A degree of spatiotemporal uniformity is defined and can be used with the demonstrated diagnostic to quantify space-time coupling. Experimental measurements of space–time coupling due to linear and nonlinear focusing, refraction, and diffraction are presented.

© 2002 Optical Society of America

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