Shot Noise Suppression in Single-Shot High-Dynamic-Range Diagnosis via Photon-Gain-Aided Correlation
Pulse contrast stands as a crucial performance metric for intense lasers, and its accurate characterization is indispensable for improving laser system and evaluating strong-field physics experiments. However, traditional methods for ultrahigh-dynamic-range pulse-contrast characterization based on t...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Ultrafast Science |
| Online Access: | https://spj.science.org/doi/10.34133/ultrafastscience.0093 |
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| Summary: | Pulse contrast stands as a crucial performance metric for intense lasers, and its accurate characterization is indispensable for improving laser system and evaluating strong-field physics experiments. However, traditional methods for ultrahigh-dynamic-range pulse-contrast characterization based on third-order cross-correlation necessitate single-photon detection sensitivity, rendering them susceptible to shot noise and resulting in significant fluctuations in measuring results between shots. In this study, we demonstrate that the impact of shot noise can be considerably reduced by employing an optical parametric amplification correlator (OPAC). The OPAC offers photon gain that counteracts the photon loss incurred during nonlinear conversion and along the propagation path while simultaneously generating parametric super-fluorescence to enhance the number of photons that ultimately reach the detector. These combined effects effectively mitigate shot noise even when the pulse under test contains only a few photons. Consequently, the OPAC facilitates reliable, ultrahigh-dynamic-range, single-shot characterization on pulse contrast of intense lasers, marked by improved shot-to-shot reproducibility. |
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| ISSN: | 2765-8791 |