Polarization-shaped femtosecond laser pulses in the ultraviolet.

We present an experimental concept for the generation and characterization of polarization-shaped femtosecond laser pulses in the ultraviolet. Polarization-shaped laser pulses are frequency-doubled in an interferometrically stable setup comprising two perpendicularly oriented nonlinear crystals. Dual-channel spectral interferometry is employed to fully characterize the electric field of the polarization-shaped ultraviolet pulses. The method is experimentally demonstrated for a central wavelength of 400 nm. Advantages and prospective applications, as well as limitations and possible alternatives, are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]