title: High harmonic XUV spectral phase interferometry for direct electric-field reconstruction.
abstract: We demonstrate the first experimental complete temporal characterization of high-harmonic XUV pulses by spectral phase interferometry, with an all-optical setup. This method allows us to perform single-shot measurements of the harmonic temporal profile and phase, revealing a remarkable shot-to-shot stability. We characterize harmonics generated in argon by a 50 fs 800 nm laser pulse. The 11th harmonic is found to be 22 fs long with a negative chirp rate of -4.8 x 10(27) s(-2). This duration can be reduced to 13 fs by modulating the polarization of the generating laser. The technique is easy to implement and could be routinely used in femtosecond XUV pump-probe experiments with harmonics.
authors.affiliation: DSM-DRECAM-Service des Photons, Atomes et Molécules, CEA Saclay, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mairesse
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Gobert
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Breger
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Merdji
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Meynadier
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Monchicourt
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Perdrix
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Salières
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Carré