Describing first-order spatio-temporal distortions in ultrashort pulses using normalized parameters

We develop a first-order description of spatio-temporal distortions in ultrashort pulses using normalized parameters that allow for a direct assessment of their severity, and we give intuitive pictures of pulses with different amounts of the various distortions. Also, we provide an experimental example of the use of these parameters in the case of spatial chirp monitored in real-time during the alignment of an amplified laser system.