Microjoule-level, tunable sub-10 fs UV pulses by broadband sum-frequency generation

Opt Lett. 2014 Jul 1;39(13):3849-52. doi: 10.1364/OL.39.003849.

Abstract

We introduce a scheme for the generation of tunable few-optical-cycle UV pulses based on sum-frequency generation between a broadband visible pulse and a narrowband pulse ranging from the visible to the near-IR. This configuration generates broadband UV pulses tunable from 0.3 to 0.4 μm, with energy up to 1.5 μJ. By exploiting nonlinear phase transfer, transform-limited pulse durations are achieved. Full characterization of the UV pulse spectral phase is obtained by two-dimensional spectral shearing interferometry, which is here extended to the UV spectral range. We demonstrate clean 8.4 fs UV pulses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Electricity
  • Interferometry / methods*
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Nonlinear Dynamics
  • Optical Devices
  • Optical Phenomena
  • Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet
  • Ultraviolet Rays*