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20 mJ, 1 ps Yb:YAG Thin-disk Regenerative Amplifier
Published on: July 12, 2017
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High-power multi-megahertz source of waveform-stabilized few-cycle light.
O Pronin1, M Seidel2, F Lücking1
1Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Fakultät für Physik, Am Coulombwall, 85748 Garching, Germany.
Nature Communications
|May 6, 2015
Summary
We developed a high-energy, waveform-stabilized laser source, crucial for advanced spectroscopy. This new technology enables microjoule pulse energies, significantly enhancing studies of electronic structure and dynamics.
Area of Science:
- Laser physics and photonics
- Ultrafast science
- Materials science
Background:
- Waveform-stabilized laser pulses are essential for frequency-comb and attosecond spectroscopy.
- Current laser sources deliver insufficient nanojoule pulse energies for many applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a scalable waveform-stabilized light source with microjoule energy levels.
- To enable advanced spectroscopic applications requiring higher pulse energies.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a diode-pumped Kerr-lens-mode-locked Yb:YAG thin-disk laser.
- Employed extracavity pulse compression to achieve few-cycle pulses.
Main Results:
- Generated waveform-stabilized few-cycle pulses (7.7 fs, 2.2 cycles) with 0.15 μJ pulse energy and 6 W average power.
- Demonstrated scalability to microjoule pulse energies and near-gigawatt peak powers.
Conclusions:
- The developed laser source is scalable to high pulse energies at megahertz repetition rates.
- This technology paves the way for generating high-repetition-rate attosecond pulses.
- Potential for use as a primary source for high-power mid-infrared and vacuum UV frequency combs.
