In-situ temporal characterization of chirped ultra-broadband laser pulses exciting a dual-light emitter Er3+-doped perovskite

Abstract

We take advantage of the dual emission properties of up-conversion fluorescence (UCF) and second harmonic generation (SHG) in Er3+-doped perovskite Na0.95Er0.05Nb0.9Ti0.1O3 to fully temporally characterize the ultrashort laser pulse that excites Er3+-ion fluorescence. The chirped pulses from a broadband Ti:Sa oscillator are temporally characterized using the dispersion scan (d-scan) technique by using the SHG signal in the host perovskite at the same point where UCF is being produced by the same pulse. The pulse durations obtained range from similar to 45 fs to similar to 8 fs and positive and negative spectral phases are unambiguously identified. The temporal characterization is compared using a standard non-linear crystal and perfect agreement is obtained. These results show that it is possible to temporally characterize in-situ ultrashort laser pulses while they are inducing a UCF process, as long as the host generates second-harmonic signal.