Spatial tomography of light resolved in time, spectrum, and polarisation

Measuring all aspects of laser beams

31 January 2023

A straightforward method for fully characterizing laser beams promises to be a valuable tool for developing laser technology for a wide range of applications.

Information can be encoded in light in multiple ways, including through polarization, wavelength and the timing of pulses. This complexity of light makes it difficult to measure all the properties of a laser beam at the same time using one method.

Now, a team led by researchers from the University of Queensland in Australia has developed a straightforward technique that can simultaneously measure a laser beam’s spatial distribution, wavelength and polarization.

Based on a matrix representation of light beams, the approach overcomes many of the limitations of other methods. Importantly, it can be implemented using commonly used equipment in laser laboratories.

The researchers anticipate that it will help enhance laser technology in applications such as communications and security.

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References

1. Nature Communications 13, 4294 (2022). doi: 10.1038/s41467-022-31814-2