Abstract

Frequency-domain optical techniques using tunable-laser-induced gratings for the study of ultrafast phenomena^1,2 provide a complementary approach to the now well-known time-domain techniques that use ultrashort laser pulses. While optical time-domain methods observe the material impulse response, frequency-domain experiments involve excitation with variable-frequency (cw or long-pulse) radiation and measure the Fourier transform of the system impulse response. Each technique provides in principle the same information, but frequency-domain experiments offer temporal resolution beyond that of time-domain techniques employing even the shortest available pulses.

© 1984 Optical Society of America