electro-optic sampling

Electro-optic sampling is a technique used to measure very fast electric fields, such as those from ultrashort light pulses or electromagnetic waves. It works by using a special crystal that changes its optical properties when exposed to an electric field. A short laser pulse passes through this crystal, and the electric field modifies how the laser light behaves—altering its polarization or intensity. By analyzing these changes, scientists can precisely determine the electric field's strength and timing. This method allows for incredibly high-speed measurements, capturing phenomena that happen in mere femtoseconds (quadrillionths of a second).