Abstract

We measured high-dynamic-range (HDR) autocorrelations of pulses between 12 fs - 33 fs produced by a Ti:sapphire laser modelocked by a thin saturable absorber [1] and by Kerr-lens modelocking (KLM). We demonstrate lower pulse pedestal with soliton modelocking [2] using broadband semiconductor saturable absorbers than with Kerr lens modelocking. Initial experimental and numerical investigations indicate that third order dispersion and overdriven self-phase modulation (SPM) are the reason for the pedestals.

© 1996 IEEE