Measurement of the coherence of a single laser pulse

A technique for mapping the degree of coherence of a single laser pulse has been developed. An interferometer is used that records on high resolution film a fringe system whose visibility is equal to the degree of coherence. A measurement of this visibility function then provides a map of the degree of coherence. The degree of coherence is directly related to the real part of the complex degree of coherence, which in turn is proportional to the real part of the self-coherence function. This technique allows the coherence function of a single laser pulse to be examined for detailed structure. Results for ruby laser pulses are shown.