Measurement of ultrashort optical pulses with β-BaB2O4

Abstract
We have evaluated barium metaborate ( β‐BaB2O4) for its use in the measurement of ultrashort optical pulses. Using crystals grown in our laboratory, we have found that pulses as short as 50 fs can be measured accurately with a crystal 1.8 mm thick. The advantages of using barium metaborate rather than potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP) or ammonium dihydrogen phosphate (ADP) for autocorrelation measurements are discussed.