Time-space Shaping of Light Pulses by Fourier Optical Processing

Abstract

A theoretical analysis of an optical processing system for time-space shaping of short light pulses is presented. The optical scheme considered consists of two gratings with a 4-f Fourier-processing system placed between them. Using an expansion of the field over a set of temporal and spatial modes, we find an expression for the output field as a function of the input field and of the system parameters. Our approach allows the solving of the inverse problem: a determination of the filter function, which will give a preliminary designed output pulse shape. The formalism developed could be applied in the description of other similar systems.