Simultaneous visual detection of pulse chirp and temporal asymmetry in ultrashort laser pulses using analysis of unbalanced interferometric correlation envelope (ICE) functions

A simple method that uses envelope functions of unbalanced interferometric (auto/cross) correlation signals has been presented for simultaneous visual detection of pulse chirp and asymmetry, without direction-of-time ambiguity in ultrashort laser pulses. The ambiguity issues of unbalanced interferometric correlation envelope (ICE) difference signals have been studied. It is found that unbalanced ICE difference signals are visually different corresponding to practically indistinguishable unbalanced interferometric autocorrelation (IAC) signals for a distinct symmetric–asymmetric pulse pair with identical intensity autocorrelation and power spectra. The theoretical analysis of ICE signals is supported by experimental unbalanced IAC signals obtained using 200 fs laser pulses from a cw mode-locked Nd:phosphate laser oscillator. PACS 42.65.Re; 42.50.Hz; 07.60.Ly