Programmable Two-dimensional fs Pulse Shaping Using an Optically Addressed Liquid Crystal Matrix

Abstract

Our interest in two-dimensional (2D) pulse shaping stems from efforts to control propagating excitations in crystals [1]. The difficulty in using conventional temporal-only (one-dimensional) pulse shaping for controlling propagating responses is that the material response quickly leaves the excitation region [2]. A 2D pulse shaper, which can produce independent temporally-shaped pulses along a transverse spatial coordinate, is able to irradiate a sample with different pulse shapes at different locations, thereby enabling the manipulation of propagating excitations. More generally, 2D pulse shaping enables multiplexed generation of complex optical signals and high-order time-resolved spectroscopy without beamsplitters or delay lines.