Pulse compression to subcycle field waveforms with split-dispersion cascaded hollow fibers

Area of Science:

• Nonlinear optics
• Fiber optics
• Ultrafast science

Background:

• Pulse compression is crucial for generating high-intensity ultrashort laser pulses.
• Gas-filled hollow-core fibers offer unique nonlinear properties for light manipulation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To theoretically investigate efficient pulse compression using dispersion- and nonlinearity-managed fiber cascades.
• To achieve ultrahigh compression ratios and generate subcycle field waveforms.

Main Methods:

• Theoretical analysis of carefully managed cascades of gas-filled hollow-core fibers.
• Optimization of dispersion and nonlinearity in individual fibers for distinct goal functions.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated efficient pulse compression with ultrahigh compression ratios.
• Successfully compressed millijoule picosecond laser pulses to sub-100-GW subcycle field waveforms.

Conclusions:

• Dispersion- and nonlinearity-managed fiber cascades are a viable method for efficient pulse compression.
• This approach enables the generation of high-power, subcycle laser field waveforms.