Effect of SLM pixelation on two-photon fluorescence by applying an off-centered quadratic spectral phase mask

Author(s)

Martins, R. J. ; Siqueira, J. P. ; Mendonca, C. R.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Laser Physics; v. 26, n. 12 DEC 2016.
• Web of Science Citations: 1

Abstract

Spatial light modulators (SLMs) have become a valuable tool to shape ultrashort laser pulses, which have found innumerous applications in different areas of ultrafast science. Despite the fact that this family of devices can be used to produce almost any arbitrary pulse shape, as long as enough bandwidth is available, there are limitations related to their discrete nature that may lead to distortions in the expected pulse shape. Here we investigate such collateral temporal distortions by quantifying the effect imposed by the discrete nature (pixelation) of liquid-crystal-based SLMs on the two-photon excited fluorescence signal of a conjugated polymer, when the central position of a quadratic spectral phase mask is scanned across the laser bandwidth. We conclude that the observed temporal distortions are related to replica pulses generated by an interplay between the additional linear phase resultant of an off-centered quadratic phase mask and pixelation of the applied phase mask. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/12399-0 - Femtosecond pulses applied to nonlinear optics: spectroscopy, pulse shaping and microfabrication
• Grantee: Cleber Renato Mendonça
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 12/00702-2 - Coherent Control of nonlinear processes via genetic algorithm: study of spectral phase modulation through principal component analysis
• Grantee: Renato Juliano Martins
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate