Characterization of ultrashort pulses by time-frequency conversion and temporal magnification based on four-wave mixing at 1 [mu] m

In order to characterize ultrashort pulses in real time at 1 [mu]m wavelength, a temporal imaging structure based on the four-wave mixing effect in highly nonlinear fibers is implemented and analyzed both theoretically and experimentally. It is found that both time-frequency transfer and the temporal magnification process can be realized approximately in one structure. The pulse widths of the signal laser measured by the time-frequency transfer and the temporal magnification process are 3.2 ps and 3.1 ps, respectively, which are nearly the same and are in agreement with the result of the autocorrelator. The temporal magnification factor is 33, and the temporal resolution is 380 fs. The method based on the temporal magnification process is inherently real time and single shot, which makes it suitable for applications in the measurement of high-power ultrashort pulses. The four-wave mixing time lens promises future applications in the characterization of the single-shot high-power short laser.