Abstract: The invention provides a pulse measurement apparatus and corresponding method. The apparatus comprises: a splitter for splitting a pulse to be measured into two sub-pulses propagating along different beam paths; a non-linear medium, capable of up-conversion of radiation propagating therethrough, arranged in said beam paths; at least one element for interfering the up-converted pulses resulting from propagation of the two sub-pulses in the non-linear medium; and detection apparatus for detecting the result of the interference to obtain at least one of spectral and temporal characteristics of the pulse to be measured.

Abstract: The invention provides a pulse measurement apparatus and corresponding method. The apparatus comprises: a splitter for splitting a pulse to be measured into two sub-pulses propagating along different beam paths; a non-linear medium, capable of up-conversion of radiation propagating therethrough, arranged in said beam paths; at least one element for interfering the up-converted pulses resulting from propagation of the two sub-pulses in the non-linear medium; and detection apparatus for detecting the result of the interference to obtain at least one of spectral and temporal characteristics of the pulse to be measured.

Abstract: Pulse measurement for characterization of ultra-short optical pulses using spectral phase interferometry for direct electric field reconstruction (SPIDER) is enhanced by utilizing a plurality of spectral phase differences derived from the pulse and measured and frequency sheared replicas, which are temporally and/or spatially displaced, thereby providing spatial or temporal characterization or enhancing the temporal characterization of the input pulse in amplitude and phase. Improved interferometry which is not reliant on non-linear elements can be used.

Abstract: Amplitude and phase relative to an interferometrically established phase of ultrashort replica pulses (15) utilizes spectral phase interforemetry for direct electric field reconstruction by frequency shifting chirp replica pulses (16) of an optical pulse to be measured. The replicas of the pulses, relatively delayed in time, are generated by an interferometer (12).

Abstract: Pulse measurement for characterization of ultra-short optical pulses using spectral phase interferometry for direct electric field reconstruction (SPIDER) is enhanced by utilizing a plurality of spectral phase differences derived from the pulse and measured and frequency sheared replicas, which are temporally and/or spatially displaced, thereby providing spatial or temporal characterization or enhancing the temporal characterization of the input pulse in amplitude and phase. Improved interferometry which is not reliant on non-linear elements can be used.