Single-shot ultrafast visualization and measurement of laser-matter interactions in flexible glass using frequency domain holography.

ABSTRACT

We perform single-shot frequency domain holography to measure the ultrafast spatio-temporal phase change induced by the optical Kerr effect and plasma in flexible Corning Willow Glass during femtosecond laser-matter interactions. We measure the nonlinear index of refraction ($ {n_2} $n2) to be $(3.6 \pm 0.1) \times {10^{ - 16}}\;{{\rm cm}^2}/{\rm W} $(3.6±0.1)×10-16cm2/W and visualize the plasma formation and recombination on femtosecond time scales in a single shot. To compare with the experiment, we carry out numerical simulations by solving the nonlinear envelope equation.