  We have developed a single-shot imaging technique that can capture ultrafast
events occurring on femtosecond to picosecond time scales. The technique is
based on an optical pump-probe method, in which multiple time-delayed
femtosecond pulses simultaneously probe a pump-excited sample. Here we use two
sets of 2-by-2 mirror arrays for spatial/temporal division and routing of
multiple probe pulses. This single-shot scheme is successfully applied to
capture femtosecond ionization fronts propagating at the speed of light in air,
as well as laser-induced ablation of solid targets.

Instrumentation and Detectors;Optics