Programmable broadband ultra-fine resolution 2-D pulse shaping

A J Metcalf,D E Leaird,A M Weiner,V Torres-Company,V R Supradeepa

doi:10.1051/epjconf/20134111002

Abstract

We demonstrate a fully programmable two dimensional pulse shaper, capable of fine resolution control over a broad bandwidth. Experimental results show line-by-line shaping of frequency combs, highlighting an application in radio frequency arbitrary waveform generation.

Highlights

Fourier pulse shaping is a widely adopted technique used to manipulate the spectrum of short pulses to achieve user-specified optical waveforms [1]
We demonstrate a fully programmable two dimensional pulse shaper, capable of fine resolution control over a broad bandwidth
But with manual control, was achieved in [3] by introducing a two-dimensional liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) spatial light modulator (SLM), a device consisting of ~2 million pixels

Summary

Introduction

Fourier pulse shaping is a widely adopted technique used to manipulate the spectrum of short pulses to achieve user-specified optical waveforms [1]. An important aspect in many applications is the ability to control fine spectral features over a broad bandwidth allowing for a high time-bandwidth product (TBWP). In traditional 1-D shapers there is a fundamental trade-off between the two. We overcome this limitation by using a shaping apparatus that disperses light into two dimensions, taking advantage of both a virtually imaged phased array (VIPA) and a grating as spectral dispersers [2]. But with manual control, was achieved in [3] by introducing a two-dimensional liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) spatial light modulator (SLM), a device consisting of ~2 million pixels. Experimental results are presented, including operation in a closed-loop configuration, as well as an application in radio frequency arbitrary waveform generation (RF-AWG)

Experimental setup and results

XVIIIth International Conference on Ultrafast Phenomena