Diffraction of ultrashort laser pulses and applications for measuring pulse front distortion and pulse width

We report on the diffraction of ultrashort laser pulses by single and doubl e slits. The first-order diffraction was investigated as a function of the spectral bandwidth and the temporal duration of the laser pulses as well as a function of the pulse-front distortion. It is shown that a double slit s canned across the laser beam is a simple and appropriate tool for measuring distortions of the laser pulse front. In addition the second-order diffrac tion using second-harmonic generation has been investigated. A properly des igned double-slit arrangement in combination with a nonlinear crystal may b e used as a simple autocorrelator which has major advantages for ultrashort laser pulses.