Plasma mirrors for short pulse KrF lasers

Area of Science:

• Laser physics
• Plasma physics
• Optics

Background:

• High-power laser systems require efficient and high-quality beam manipulation.
• Plasma mirrors offer potential for high reflectivity but their application in specific laser systems like KrF lasers has been limited.
• Optimizing plasma mirror performance is crucial for advanced laser technologies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate the successful application of plasma mirrors in Krypton Fluoride (KrF) laser systems for the first time.
• To optimize plasma mirror performance for high reflectivity and good reflected beam quality.
• To assess the feasibility of using plasma mirrors in high-power laser systems.

Main Methods:

• Investigated the use of plasma mirrors with KrF laser systems.
• Optimized the beam quality incident on the plasma mirror to enhance reflectivity.
• Characterized the spectral shift and reflected beam quality of the plasma mirror.

Main Results:

• Achieved high reflectivity up to 70% using plasma mirrors in KrF laser systems.
• Demonstrated that optimization of beam quality is key to achieving high reflectivity.
• Observed a modest spectral shift and good reflected beam quality from the plasma mirror.

Conclusions:

• Plasma mirrors are successfully applicable to KrF laser systems.
• Optimized plasma mirrors can provide high reflectivity (up to 70%) and good beam quality.
• The demonstrated performance allows for applicability in high-power laser systems, with a new arrangement suggested for such use.