Tailoring the phase-matching function for ultrashort pulse characterization by spectral shearing interferometry

Sum-frequency generation using spectrally asymmetric type II phase matching enables significant simplifications in spectral shearing interferometry as applied for ultrashort optical pulse measurements. We present analytical and numerical models of broadband sum-frequency wave mixing essential to understand the underlying effects. We discuss spectral and temporal limits of the method together with various aspects of experimental implementation: optimization of the retrieval algorithm, calibration procedures, and extension to different spectral regions of particular interest with other crystals. (c) 2007 Optical Society of America.