Figure 2. Time microscope realized for the ultrafast observation of optical rogue waves.

(a) Experimental setup. A key element is the time lens, which is composed of the BBO crystal, pumped by the stretched 800 nm pulse. (b) Spatial analog of the time microscope. The dispersion D₁ (provided by the grating compressor) is analogue to the diffraction between the initial image and the lens with focal length f₁. The time lens is the analog of the (f₁) lens. The single-shot spectrometer is formally analogue to the far-field camera. G₁ and G₂ are 600 lines mm⁻¹ gratings, RR is a roof retroreflector. Note that the BBO crystal is placed at the focal plane of the 200 mm collimating lens. Transport optics are not represented.