Linear spatio-temporal characterization of a UV microscope objective for nonlinear imaging and spectroscopy by using two-dimensional spectral interferometry.

Two-dimensional Fourier transform spectral interferometry is used to characterize the spatio-temporal aberrations of a UV microscope objective. The spatial and temporal profiles of a 420 nm, 38 fs pulse at the focus of a 0.32 NA UV objective are then deduced using a wave propagation code incorporating the measured aberrations.