Chapter 10 - Picosecond time resolution with streak camera

Abstract

In traditional electronics, signals cannot propagate faster than light. Decreasing the size of the electronic components helps to increase the operational speed of the devices, as it reduces the signal propagation distance. The picoseconds time in spectroscopy has to deal with optical pulses, which are 0.3 millimeter long. Electronic devices called streak cameras do this by switching from the group velocity to phase velocity. The operation principles and a scheme illustrating streak camera principles are presented in the chapter. The main characteristics of streak camera include time resolution, spectrum range, and sensitivity. The streak cameras for spectroscopy applications are based on the world's top technologies. Therefore, there aren't too many manufacturers of these cameras. These cameras are priced high, and there are alternatives to attain even better time resolution using different techniques.