title: Compact in-line autocorrelator using double wedge.
abstract: A new optical design for an autocorrelator using a double wedge is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. It consists of two wedges placed in a mirror-image configuration. Instead of splitting a beam by 90 degree angle as done in a conventional autocorrelator based on Michelson interferometer, the wedge splits the beam by 180 degrees. The angle of incidence is nearly normal to all the wedge surfaces so that this new design provides the compact in-line layout for an autocorrelator. The time delay can be adjustable by scanning the separation between two wedges. Due to the geometry, the double wedge produces multiple reflections, but they are angularly separated among each other. The laser pulse of 28 fs duration is measured by using the double wedge autocorrelator and compared with Michelson-type autocorrelator. The effect of material dispersion and angular chirp introduced by the wedge pair is discussed for shorter pulse measurement.
authors.affiliation: Center for Attosecond Science and Technology, Department of Physics, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, 790-784, South Korea.
authors.forename: Jungkwuen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: An
authors.forename: Dong Eon
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D007368:Interferometry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D007834:Lasers; D008904:Miniaturization; D012031:Refractometry / Q000295:instrumentation*