title: Spatial-spectral characterization of focused spatially chirped broadband laser beams.
abstract: Proper alignment is critical to obtain the desired performance from focused spatially chirped beams, for example in simultaneous spatial and temporal focusing (SSTF). We present a simple technique for inspecting the beam paths and focusing conditions for the spectral components of a broadband beam. We spectrally resolve the light transmitted past a knife edge as it was scanned across the beam at several axial positions. The measurement yields information about spot size, M2, and the propagation paths of different frequency components. We also present calculations to illustrate the effects of defocus aberration on SSTF beams.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Greco
authors.forename: Erica
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Block
authors.forename: Amanda K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Meier
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Beaman
authors.forename: Samuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.forename: Marin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Iliev
authors.forename: Jeff A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Squier
authors.forename: Charles G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Durfee
mesh_terms: D007834:Lasers; D008027:Light; D055096:Optical Devices; D055620:Optical Phenomena; D013057:Spectrum Analysis