ANALYSIS OF RAPID OPTIC PROCESSES THROUGH FIELD CROSS-CORRELATION

The response of an atomic or molecular sample to the excitation induced by a noise source (broadband laser) is studied. This response is analyzed through field cross-correlation with the chaotic field. The temporal resolution so achieved is limited by the autocorrelation time of the source rather than by the excitation duration. Using this method, the recording, the storage and the retrieval of optical data are demonstrated.