Abstract: Disclosed is a measuring apparatus for a physical phenomenon by photoexcitation, in particular a delay time modulated and time-resolved, scanning probe microscope apparatus providing an ultimate resolution both temporal and spatial. The apparatus comprises an ultrashort laser pulse generator (2); a delay time modulating circuit (6) which splits an ultrashort laser pulse (3) produced by the ultrashort laser pulse generator (2) into two and which also modulates a delay time td between the two ultrashort laser pulses (4 and 5) with a frequency (?); a scanning probe microscope (7); and a lock-in detection unit (8) which performs lock-in detection with the delay time modulation frequency (?) of a probe signal (11) from the scanning probe microscope (7).

Abstract: Disclosed is a measuring apparatus for a physical phenomenon by photoexcitation, in particular a delay time modulated and time-resolved, scanning probe microscope apparatus providing an ultimate resolution both temporal and spatial. The apparatus comprises an ultrashort laser pulse generator (2); a delay time modulating circuit (6) which splits an ultrashort laser pulse (3) produced by the ultrashort laser pulse generator (2) into two and which also modulates a delay time td between the two ultrashort laser pulses (4 and 5) with a frequency (?); a scanning probe microscope (17); and a lock-in detection unit (8) which performs lock-in detection with the delay time modulation frequency (?) of a probe signal (11) from the scanning probe microscope (17).

Abstract: An ultra-broadband, variable and multiple wavelength, waveform shaping apparatus is disclosed that excels with the ability to yield light pulses shaped in waveform, variable and multiple in wavelength over an ultra-broad bandwidth, the pulses being as short as in the order of pico-seconds or less, or even in the order of femto-seconds.

Abstract: A method of generating light pulses in an ultrawide band ranging from the near-infrared region to the near-ultraviolet region. Fundamental sub-picosecond pulses emitted from an ultrashort pulse laser (1) are passed through a nonlinear optical material (6) to produce wavelength-converted pulses whose center wavelength differs from that of the fundamental pulses. The method comprises the steps of separating the converted pulses from the fundamental pulses, delaying the converted pulses relative to the fundamental pulses, adjusting the polarization of the converted or fundamental pulses, adjusting the energy of the fundamental and converted pulses, superposing the separated fundamental and converted pulses on each other, and allowing the superimposed pulses to pass through a nonlinear optical material (22).