The generation of ultrashort laser pulses

摘要: Summary form only given. This article is intended to provide an introduction ultrafast laser development for scientists new the field. It also aims a snapshot of state-of-the-art lasers and indicate how this state evolved over last thirty years. In first section, main issues concerning ultrashort pulse generation are discussed most important media briefly reviewed, An extensive historical survey mode-locking compression from 1964 until 1994 then presented which covers developments put recent advances femtosecond in context. review anticipates future practical real-world applications, The basic techniques reviewed at tutorial level. These include active mode-locking, passive with real, resonant saturable absorbers optical Kerr effect. Emphasis placed on solid-state lasers, dye fibre lasers. Group velocity dispersion self-phase modulation introduced their interaction some detail, Fibre-optic described significance soliton shaping solitary highlighted. Some phenomena limiting minimum achievable duration pulses identified. final section describes measuring including electrooptic streak cameras second harmonic autocorrelation.