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Highly stable ultrabroadband mid-IR optical parametric chirped-pulse amplifier optimized for superfluorescence
1Department of Electrical Engineering and Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA. j_moses@mit.edu
Optics Letters
|June 3, 2009
Summary
We developed a high-power optical parametric chirped-pulse amplification source. Its stability and pulse quality are ideal for advanced applications like long-wavelength high-harmonic generation.
Area of Science:
- Laser Physics
- Nonlinear Optics
- Quantum Optics
Background:
- Optical parametric chirped-pulse amplification (OPCPA) is a key technology for generating high-energy laser pulses.
- Scaling OPCPA systems to higher energies and maintaining pulse quality are ongoing challenges.
- Long-wavelength-driven high-harmonic generation (HHG) requires robust and stable laser sources.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a novel 9 GW peak power, 2.2 micrometer OPCPA source.
- To demonstrate high stability and excellent pulse characteristics for advanced applications.
- To enable energy scaling through superfluorescence suppression.
Main Methods:
- Development of a three-cycle, 2.2 micrometer OPCPA system.
- Implementation of superfluorescence suppression techniques for enhanced stability.
- Characterization of energy fluctuations, carrier-envelope phase, beam, wavefront, and pulse quality.
Main Results:
- Achieved 9 GW peak power with 1.5% rms energy fluctuations.
- Demonstrated 150 mrad carrier-envelope phase stability.
- Exhibited excellent beam, wavefront, and pulse quality.
- Successfully suppressed superfluorescence for improved energy scaling.
Conclusions:
- The developed OPCPA source meets the stringent requirements for long-wavelength-driven HHG.
- The achieved stability and pulse quality pave the way for further energy scaling.
- This work advances the capabilities of high-power laser systems for fundamental research.
