Abstract

We propose a novel method that uses the oscillation of an atomic excited wave packet observed through a pump–probe technique to accurately determine the zero time delay between a pair of ultrashort laser pulses. This physically based approach provides an easy fix for the intractable problem of synchronizing two different femtosecond laser pulses in a practical experimental environment, especially where an in situ time zero measurement with high accuracy is required.

© 2008 Optical Society of America

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