Browsing by Author "De Beer, Anthonie"

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    Towards the development of a MIR NOPA for time-domain ptychography
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2021-03) De Beer, Anthonie; Bosman, Gurthwin W.; Neethling, Pieter H.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Science. Dept. of Physics.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis discusses a noncollinear optical parametric amplifier as a source of ultrafast mid-infrared light for spectroscopic experiments and aims to provide a consistent method for the generation thereof. The underlining theory and fundamental principles of this device is outlined as well as various experimental considerations. A design for an experimental setup to generate suitable ultrafast mid-infrared light is proposed and preliminary optical devices are implemented. Generation of a 160 nm bandwidth, near-infrared supercontinuum centred at 1067 nm is shown to be inadequate for the generation of mid-infrared pulses. Parasitic second harmonic-, sum frequency and difference frequency generation processes are also shown to impede mid-infrared generation. These restricting experimental phenomena are highlighted and methods to bypass these limits are given. Finally, as a demonstration of usefulness of such a source of infrared pulses, the novel time-domain ptychographic measurement, HIPPY, of a material’s response to mid-infrared light is simulated.