Single-shot generation of a sonogram by time gating of a spectrally decomposed ultrashort laser pulse.

An experimental technique for single-shot generation of the sonogram of an ultrashort laser pulse is demonstrated. The method is based on the time gating of a spectrally decomposed test signal, transferring its spectral phase into a spatial phase, and the spatial filtering of the signal to produce a sonogram. The technique is evaluated experimentally, producing sonograms for linearly and nonlinearly chirped femtosecond laser pulses. The single-shot technique permits reconstruction of ultrashort pulse complex amplitude profiles and is useful for showing the signal in real time.