Single-Shot, Spatio-Temporal Metrology of Relativistic Plasma Optics

Plasma optics, promising for shaping and amplifying ultrahigh-power laser pulses, are subject to huge modulations and fluctuations inherent in the excitation at high intensities. Understanding their impact on the spatio-temporal structure of resulting pulses demands multidimensional characterization of relativistic plasma dynamics, an extremely difficult task, particularly at the low repetition rates typical of such lasers. Here, we present three-dimensional (3D) spatio-temporal measurements of such pulses based on spectral interferometry. We measure the complex space-time distortions induced in the laser pulses by relativistic plasma while simultaneously capturing the underlying plasma dynamics, all in a single shot. This all-optical technique can capture 3D spatio-temporal couplings within pulses at ultrahigh peak powers, enabling further progress in ultrahigh-intensity laser and plasma technologies.