Tilted-pulse-front pumping for phase matching and synchronization

Abstract

In this paper, we give a brief review on different types of applications relying on tilted-pulse-front pumping or angular dispersion. A short overview of the connection between pulse front tilt and angular dispersion is followed by discussing examples of achromatic phase matching in frequency conversion processes, tilted-pulse-front pumping for phasematched high-field THz pulse generation, as well as pumping of short-wavelength x-ray lasers, where tilting the pump pulse front is utilized for synchronization. The connection between pulse front tilt and angular dispersion is also addressed for some of the applications.