Single-shot ultrafast multiplexed coherent diffraction imaging

Abstract

Classic interferometry was commonly adopted to realize ultrafast phase imaging using pulsed lasers; however, the reference beam required makes the optical structure of the imaging system very complex, and high temporal resolution was reached by sacrificing spatial resolution. This study presents a type of single-shot ultrafast multiplexed coherent diffraction imaging technique to realize ultrafast phase imaging with both high spatial and temporal resolutions using a simple optical setup, and temporal resolution of nanosecond to femtosecond scale can be realized using lasers of different pulse durations. This technique applies a multiplexed algorithm to avoid the data division in space domain or frequency domain and greatly improves the spatial resolution. The advantages of this proposed technique on both the simple optical structure and high image quality were demonstrated by imaging the generation and evaluating the laser-induced damage and accompanying phenomenon of laser filament and shock wave at a spatial resolution better than 6.96 μm and a temporal resolution better than 10 ns.