Linear, self-referenced technique for single-shot and real-time full characterization of (sub-)picosecond optical...

We propose and experimentally demonstrate single-shot, real-time ultrashort pulse intensity and phase characterization using a self-referenced and highly sensitive (linear) technique. The proposed method is based on a direct reconstruction of the spectral phase of the pulse-under-test (PUT) from three different measured spectra, two of which are obtained by a suitable time-synchronized electro-optic intensity modulation of the PUT. The required set of spectra are temporally interleaved and mapped along the time domain by linear dispersion for single-shot acquisition using a real-time scope. A dynamic nonlinear compression experiment of a picosecond pulse is fully monitored in real time using the proposed method.