Pulse compression with time-domain optimized chirped mirrors

Dispersive optical interference coatings (chirped mirrors - CMs) are designed by computer optimization of an analytically calculated initial multilayer. Traditionally, the relevant properties of the CM (reflectance and the frequency-dependence of the phase shift upon reflection) are optimized to match frequency-domain targets. We propose a novel target function that quantifies directly the capability of a multilayer to control the temporal shape of the reflected optical pulse. Employing this time-domain analysis/optimization one can design dispersive multilayers having air as medium of incidence and supporting the generation of pulses with durations in the sub-5-fs-range, as demonstrated in a proof-of-principle compression experiment. (c) 2005 Optical Society of America.