Atomic streak camera operating in the extreme ultraviolet

We present a new type of streak camera to measure the temporal shape of pulses in the extreme ultraviolet (XUV) region: A cloud of noble gas atoms is used as a photocathode. The first results at 57 nm show a time resolution of 10 ps. Modifications to improve the time resolution are discussed. Using a noble gas as a photocathode has the potential to decrease the temporal resolution of the streak camera in the XUV to less than 0.5 ps.