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 double 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 scanned across the laser beam is a simple and appropriate tool for measuring distortions of the laser pulse front. In addition the second-order diffraction using second-harmonic generation has been investigated. A properly designed double-slit arrangement in combination with a nonlinear crystal may be used as a simple autocorrelator which has major advantages for ultrashort laser pulses.