Retroreflector array as a tapped delay-line filter for ultra-short optical pulses

摘要

A retroreflector array can be used to act as an optical tapped delay-line filter for temporal optical signals. Here, we demonstrate the basic operation and present a theoretical description. Our theory is based on the mathematical formalism for finite impulse response filters. A relationship to the classical Talbot bands experiment is established. By adding a mask to the retroreflector array, one can implement arbitrary filter operations. As a specific example, a differentiation in frequency domain is demonstrated by using a simple binary mask. The proposed devise maybe useful for the optical filtering and shaping of ultra short pulses.