Low jitter dual semiconductor laser system using electrical phase shift for fast temporal scanning in time-resolved pump and probe experiments

Abstract

Numerous important ultrafast measurement techniques such as electro-optical and photoconductive sampling are based on a pump and probe arrangement which requires a precisely adjustable time delay for short optical pulses. In order to overcome the relatively slow scanning speed of mechanical delay units alternative approaches using dual laser systems with rapid scanning capability have been investigated. Here, we report on a scanning dual laser system (SDLS) providing optical pulses for time-resolved pump and probe experiments with a freely adjustable temporal scanning range and high scanning speed. Compared to previously published results of 5.4-ps rms timing jitter between two fiber-lasers the described system has a pulse jitter of <1.5-ps rms without further electronic stabilization.