Characterization of chirped-pulse amplification systems with spectral phase interferometry for direct electric-field reconstruction

The characterization and optimization of chirped-pulse amplification systems with spectral phase interferometry for direct electric-field reconstruction is presented. Using a single-shot real-time implementation of this technique, the sensitivity of pulse duration to air turbulence in the stretcher and compressor has been quantitatively measured. A modification of this technique, allowing the simultaneous single-shot real-time measurement of both the spectral phase and the amplitude of a short pulse with a monodimensional detector, is also demonstrated.