Z-scan confocal method for indirect focusing location

Abstract

We present a new technique that we have defined as the z-scan confocal method to determine the absolute location and size of the focal spot in a tight focused ultrashort laser pulse. The method permits to accurately position a target in the focal spot with a fast response. The technique is designed to help to automatize the location of an overdense target in focus in a laser plasma experiment. The method allows for a fast localization of the focal position and the relative motion of the target with respect to it. As an example of the capacities we measure the defocusing of a fast rotating disc in several radius to reconstruct the motion of the disc at focus.