Harnessing third-harmonic generation in graphene-coated optics - new devices for ultrafast pulse measurement and frequency upconversion - UltraGraf

Project summary

Ultrafast lasers have many important applications in physics, materials processing, chemistry, biology and medicine. Their pulses are among the shortest events ever produced, with durations reaching the few femtosecond regime (1 fs = 10-15 s). Nevertheless, the lack of adequate temporal measurement and control tools has hampered their migration out of the laboratory and into mainstream applications. This project directly addresses these challenges by developing and demonstrating a new and universal ultrafast pulse measurement and control device, where the dispersion-scan technique is combined with the exceptionally broad bandwidth and high conversion efficiency of nonlinear third-harmonic generation (THG) in graphene coatings. This technology is highly performing, easy to use and applicable to an unprecedentedly wide range of laser systems, which should enable new scientific, industrial and medical applications of ultrafast lasers and contribute to the growth of the ultrafast market.