Oblique-incidence single-shot ultrafast imaging for monitoring airborne dynamics in ultrashort laser processing

We present an oblique-incidence single-shot ultrafast imaging system based on temporal wavelength division to monitor airborne transients in ultrashort laser processing. The constructed system enabled the recording of five frames at 0.50 ns intervals from a single oblique view. In single-pulse ablation experiments on wide planar targets of silver-coated mirror, titanium plate, and copper plate, we visualized a near-surface transient associated with the ablation process and shockwave propagation into air. Using an experimentally characterized geometric constraint, we further quantify the horizontal and vertical expansion of airborne shockwaves from a single oblique view. This approach provides a practical route to monitoring airborne dynamics under limited optical access.