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Updated: Jun 21, 2026
09:49
An Experimental Protocol for Femtosecond NIR/UV - XUV Pump-Probe Experiments with Free-Electron Lasers
Published on: October 23, 2018
Intense few-cycle light pulses in the deep ultraviolet
1Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik, Garching, Germany.
Optics Express
|July 8, 2009
Summary
Nonlinear frequency upconversion generates deep ultraviolet (UV) ultrafast laser pulses from near-infrared (NIR) sources. This method advances UV pulse technology without needing UV dispersion control.
Area of Science:
- Quantum optics
- Ultrafast laser science
- Nonlinear optics
Background:
- Few-cycle laser technology enables advanced ultrafast science.
- Generating deep ultraviolet (UV) pulses is challenging due to dispersion.
- Current methods require complex UV dispersion control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate nonlinear frequency upconversion for deep UV pulse generation.
- To extend ultrafast technology into the deep UV spectrum.
- To explore generation of sub-two-cycle UV pulses.
Main Methods:
- Nonlinear frequency upconversion of few-cycle near-infrared (NIR) laser pulses.
- Harmonic generation in noble gases.
- Utilizing quasi-monocycle drivers for advanced UV generation.
Main Results:
- Generation of 3.7-femtosecond (fs) deep UV pulses (approx. 4.6 eV).
- Achieved gigawatt-scale peak power and adjustable polarization.
- Demonstrated a viable route towards 1-fs UV pulse generation.
Conclusions:
- Nonlinear frequency upconversion is a promising technique for deep UV pulse generation.
- This method bypasses the need for UV dispersion control.
- Potential to push ultrafast UV technology towards the 1-fs frontier.
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