A contactless microwave-based diagnostic tool for high repetition rate   laser systems
  We report on a novel electro-optic device for the diagnostics of high repetition rate laser systems. It is composed of a microwave receiver and of a second order nonlinear crystal, whose irradiation with a train of short laser pulses produces a time-dependent polarization in the crystal itself as a consequence of optical rectification. This process gives rise to the emission of microwave radiation that is detected by a receiver and is analyzed to infer the repetition rate and intensity of the pulses.   We believe that this new method may overcome some of the limitations of photodetection techniques. 
C. Braggio and A. F. Borghesani
physics.optics