Ultrafast Laser Pulse Generation by Mode Locking: MATLAB-Based Demonstrations

Ultrafast laser spectroscopy is a valuable and increasingly accessible technique for studies of rapid chemical reactions. Critical to ultrafast the concept mode locking, that enables fixed phase relationship between modes, resulting in pulses with very short duration (in fs or ps range). Despite increasing importance lasers chemistry, introduction key concepts behind their operation into undergraduate graduate chemistry coursework has been limited. To help incorporation these topics courses, we report here hands-on activity helps students develop an intuitive understanding factors impact electromagnetic wave evolution optical cavities process locking. We first provide theoretical background by introducing cavity modes contrasting them well-known propagating waves. then explore what happens when are added how relative affects behavior. In second section this report, three teaching modules provided, along associated MATLAB codes animated images, can be used classroom introduce These start waves illustrate multiple present overall field cavity.