Pulse-front tilt created in misaligned dispersionless optical systems and correct interferometric autocorrelation

In this work we present a matrix analysis of the sensitivity of otherwise dispersionless 4f and 2f–2f optical systems to misalignments resulting in spatio-temporal distortions of ultrashort laser pulses. Special attention is given to the possible creation of a pulse-front tilt (PFT). The exact analytical expression for the second-harmonic interferometric autocorrelation signal of an inverted-field autocorrelator is calculated. It confirms the effective broadening of the ultrashort pulses in the presence of an arbitrary PFT.