Double-blind holography of attosecond pulses

Abstract

A key challenge in attosecond science is the temporal characterization of attosecond pulses that are essential for understanding the evolution of electronic wavefunctions in atoms, molecules and solids1–7. Current characterization methods, based on nonlinear light–matter interactions, are limited in terms of stability and waveform complexity. Here, we experimentally demonstrate a conceptually new linear and all-optical pulse characterization method, inspired by double-blind holography. Holography is realized by measuring the extreme ultraviolet (XUV) spectra of two unknown attosecond signals and their interference. Assuming a finite pulse duration constraint, we reconstruct the missing spectral phases and characterize the unknown signals in both isolated pulse and double pulse scenarios. This method can be implemented in a wide range of experimental realizations, enabling the study of complex electron dynamics via a single-shot and linear measurement. Double-blind holography allows reconstruction of the missing spectral phases and characterization of the unknown signals in both isolated-pulse and double-pulse scenarios, facilitating the study of complex electron dynamics via a single-shot and linear measurement.