Femtosecond pulse shaper built into a prism compressor.

We present a frequency domain, AOM-based pulse shaper that utilizes Brewster prisms rather than the current standard of gratings. In doing so, we demonstrate a three-fold increase in efficiency and the ability to compensate for temporal dispersion created by the acousto-optic modulator that filters the pulse spectrum. The shaper is tested between the wavelengths of 520-660 and 840-1170 nm, creating sub-50 fs pulses for each, and used to collect a 2D white-light spectrum of a thin film of semiconducting carbon nanotubes.

Progress and Prospects in Optical Ultrafast Microscopy in the Visible Spectral Region: Transient Absorption and Two-Dimensional Microscopy.

Ultrafast optical microscopy, generally employed by incorporating ultrafast laser pulses into microscopes, can provide spatially resolved mechanistic insight into scientific problems ranging from hot carrier dynamics to biological imaging. This Review discusses the progress in different ultrafast microscopy techniques, with a focus on transient absorption and two-dimensional microscopy. We review the underlying principles of these techniques and discuss their respective advantages and applicability to different scientific questions. We also examine in detail how instrument parameters such as sensitivity, laser power, and temporal and spatial resolution must be addressed. Finally, we comment on future developments and emerging opportunities in the field of ultrafast microscopy.