Dispersion measurements for femtosecond-pulse generation and applications

Dispersive phenomena provide limits in the generation, measurement and applications of femtosecond optical pulses. Optical elements such as prisms, gratings, air, mirrors, filters, and laser crystals all contribute to the total dispersion in optical systems. Interferometric techniques enable measurements of dispersion of individual elements, and new techniques allow dispersion measurement inside the cavity of operating modelocked femtosecond tunable lasers. These techniques provide access to detailed information about dispersion errors which can distort pulses and produce undesirable effects in modelocked lasers. In this article, we review techniques for the measurement of dispersion in optical components and systems. In several cases, we compare measurements made with intracavity dispersion techniques with extracavity measurements and point out common features.