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Electro-Optic Fourier Transform Chronometry of Pulsed Quantum Light
Ali Golestani1, Alex O C Davis2,3, Filip Sośnicki1
1Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, Pasteura 5, 02-093 Warszawa, Poland.
Physical Review Letters
|September 30, 2022
Summary
We introduce Fourier transform chronometry to measure ultrashort optical pulse envelopes without time-resolved detection. This technique uses frequency autocorrelation measurements, analogous to Fourier-transform spectrometry for power spectra.
Area of Science:
- Quantum optics
- Ultrafast science
- Spectroscopy
Background:
- Fourier-transform spectrometry enables power spectrum acquisition via temporal autocorrelation, avoiding spectral detectors.
- Measuring ultrashort optical pulse envelopes typically requires time-resolved detection methods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce Fourier transform chronometry for measuring temporal envelopes of ultrashort optical pulses.
- To perform time-frequency conjugate measurements without time-resolved detection.
Main Methods:
- Developed Fourier transform chronometry, a technique measuring the frequency autocorrelation of optical fields.
- Utilized a linear interferometer to perform these frequency autocorrelation measurements.
- The method is the time-frequency conjugate of Fourier-transform spectrometry.
Main Results:
- Successfully measured the pulse envelope of classical light pulses.
- Experimentally demonstrated the technique for single-photon light pulses.
- Validated the capability of measuring temporal envelopes without direct time-resolved detection.
Conclusions:
- Fourier transform chronometry offers a novel approach for characterizing ultrashort optical pulse envelopes.
- The technique provides a powerful alternative to traditional time-resolved detection methods.
- Applicable to both classical and quantum light sources.
