Temporal characterization of a two-color laser field using tunneling ionization

Abstract

The superposition of a fundamental laser pulse and its second harmonic can form an asymmetric laser field that is useful in many applications. The temporal characterization of the two-color laser field becomes necessary. However, the temporal characterization of the two-color laser pulse is a challenging task due to its broad bandwidth and a spectral gap between the two frequency components. Here we demonstrate the temporal characterization of the two-color laser field using multiple ionization yield measurements near the laser focus. This new approach enables the complete temporal characterization of the two-color laser field, including the relative phase between the two frequency components.