Abstract

The operational principles and performance characteristics of parametric temporal imaging systems are discussed. In these systems the quadratic phase modulation of a time lens is realized through sum or difference frequency generation with a linearly chirped optical pump pulse. The imaging condition, magnification, and resulting image profile are presented for different mixing arrangements. Effects that limit the resolution and fidelity of the system are discussed. Experimental results of an upconver- sion time microscope achieving 103 x magnification, better than 178 fs resolution, and 5.7 ps field of view are presented.

© 1999 Optical Society of America