Optical pulse compression to 5.0 fs by use of only a spatial light modulator for phase compensation

We experimentally demonstrate the generation of 5.0-fs optical pulses (2.5 muJ, 1-kHz repetition rate), using only a spatial light modulator for phase compensation. Pulse compression of the broadband pulse (500-1000 nm) from an argon-filled capillary fiber is achieved with a liquid-crystal spatial l ight modulator without any prechirp compensation. The output pulse width is found to be 4.1 is by a fringe-resolved autocorrelator fitted with a trans form-limited pulse and to be 5.0 fs by second-harmonic generation frequency -resolved optical gating with marginal correction. It is to our knowledge t he shortest pulse ever generated by use of only a spatial light modulator f or phase compensation. (C) 2001 Optical Society of America.