Temporal Imaging for Ultrafast Spectral-Temporal Optical Signal Processing and Characterization

Temporal imaging is one of the most promising all-optical signal processing techniques that enable single-shot ultrafast signal characterization in both spectral and temporal domains. However, conventional temporal imaging systems have inherent constraints such as limited record length, narrow spectral observation range and complex system configuration, which prevent their potential to be fully unleashed. In this article, we review the recent efforts in developing advanced temporal imaging systems with much enhanced performance. Their powerful applications are demonstrated by real-time single-shot characterization of Kerr soliton generation in microresonator, noise-like pulses in mode-locked fiber lasers, broadband frequency combs and the dynamic waveform in ultrafast optical tomography. In addition, potential future developments of this technique in several important directions are discussed.