Third-harmonic generation using an ultrahigh-spectral-brightness ArF source

Area of Science:

• Laser Physics
• Nonlinear Optics
• Quantum Electronics

Background:

• Ultrahigh-spectral-brightness sources are crucial for advanced light generation.
• Third-harmonic generation (THG) is a key nonlinear optical process for frequency conversion.
• Producing coherent radiation at shorter wavelengths presents significant challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate tunable coherent radiation generation at 64 nm.
• To utilize third-harmonic generation (THG) with an ArF* source.
• To optimize THG in simple gaseous media while minimizing absorption losses.

Main Methods:

• Employed an ultrahigh-spectral-brightness ArF* laser source with specific performance parameters (300 mJ pulse energy, ~7 nsec pulse duration, <260 MHz spectral width, ~5x15 microrad beam divergence, up to 10 Hz repetition rate).
• Utilized third-harmonic generation (THG) in various simple gaseous media.
• Implemented an apparatus designed to eliminate photoabsorption of the generated third harmonic in differential pumping stages.

Main Results:

• Successfully produced tunable coherent radiation in the vicinity of 64 nm.
• Achieved peak powers up to 30 W for the third harmonic.
• Demonstrated the effectiveness of THG using the specified ArF* source parameters in gaseous media.

Conclusions:

• Third-harmonic generation of an ultrahigh-spectral-brightness ArF* source is an effective method for producing tunable coherent radiation at 64 nm.
• The experimental setup successfully mitigated photoabsorption losses, enabling efficient THG.
• This work advances the capabilities for generating coherent light in the vacuum ultraviolet region.