Modeling of pulse compressors using Kostenbauder matrices

In this paper we present a method for modeling ultrashort-laser-pulse compressors/stretchers using Kostenbauder matrices. In this method, a Gaussian pulse is represented by a 2×2 complex Q-matrix and an optical element is represented by a 4×4 real K-matrix. This formalism models pulse compressors and performs full spatio-temporal analysis. Additionally, this formalism allows for uncertainty and sensitivity analyses of the compressors/stretchers. While being simple to implement numerically, this method is computationally much faster than the other equivalent approaches, such as use of Wigner matrices and Wigner functions.