Single-shot ultrafast multiview imaging based on temporal wavelength division for capturing volumetric dynamics in femtosecond to nanosecond timescales

Ultrafast imaging is crucial for investigating phenomena on femtosecond to nanosecond timescales. Single-shot techniques have been developed to capture irreproducible events where pump-probe methods are impractical. Among them, Sequentially Timed All-optical Mapping Photography (STAMP) enables a single-shot acquisition of ultrafast images with high spatial resolution and low noise based on temporal wavelength division. However, the acquired spatial information is limited to two dimensions, restricting the analysis of complex 3D dynamics. In this study, we propose a single-shot ultrafast multiview imaging system based on temporal wavelength division to capture 3-dimensional spatial profiles of ultrafast phenomena. In this system, femtosecond laser pulses are stretched by time stretchers, such as a glass block, grating pair, and spectrum shuttle, to adjust time windows. The stretched pulses are arrayed by a diffractive optical element and focused on a target from multiple angles, probing the temporal evolution of ultrafast phenomena. The pulses from different angles are separated by a lens array. They are then spectrally separated by a spectral filtering system. Consequently, the pulses with different angles and spectra are imaged on different areas of the image sensor, respectively. Our constructed system enabled simultaneous imaging from nine angles at 14-degree intervals, with frame intervals ranging from 100 fs to 10 ns. We demonstrated the first subpicosecond multiview imaging of volumetric dynamics in femtosecond laser-induced ablation. This method offers new insights into complex 3-dimensional dynamics and is expected to advance research in laser ablation, acoustic phenomena, electric discharges, and laser fusion.