SUBPICOSECOND PULSE-COMPRESSION IN THE VUV REGION BY INDUCED-PHASE MODULATION IN XE

The feasibility of subpicosecond pulse compression in the VUV region u sing the induced phase modulation in Xe-I is theoretically studied by numerically solving equations for the amplitude and phase of a weak VU V signal pulse in the presence of an intense pump pulse at the visible wavelength. Substantial pulse compression can be realized with compac t pulse compressors when the pump pulse width is decreased. When a 9.6 ps pump pulse at 403 nm with the peak intensity of 1 GW/cm(2) is assu med, the signal pulse at 157 nm is compressed from 12 ps to 260 fs by the pulse compressor, with a grating-mirror separation of <2.5 m. Infl uences on the pulse compression of the timing between two incident pul ses and the dynamic change in nonlinear susceptibility are also descri bed.