Simple device for continuous angle-of-incidence selection in ultrafast experiments

A compact and simple device suitable for performing experiments in reflection setup with ultrashort laser pulses with a continuously varying incidence angle is presented. As the incidence angle is varied, the direction of the input and output beams as well as the overall path length are conserved; only plane mirrors are used which avoids any wave-front distortion. The properties of the device are analyzed within geometrical optics. As a verification of the device functionality, we present experimental data for incidence angle dependent terahertz pulse generation obtained by optical rectification on a thin gold film. (C) American Institute of Physics.