Optimization of a multi-TW few-cycle 1.7-µm source based on Type-I BBO dual-chirped optical parametric amplification

Area of Science:

• Nonlinear Optics
• Ultrafast Lasers
• Infrared Spectroscopy

Background:

• Optical parametric amplification (OPA) is crucial for generating tunable laser pulses.
• Achieving high energy and ultrashort durations simultaneously in infrared (IR) pulses presents significant challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To optimize a dual-chirped optical parametric amplification (DC-OPA) scheme for generating high-energy, ultrafast IR pulses.
• To explore a novel dual pump DC-OPA scheme for even higher energy output and shorter pulse durations.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a 0.77 J Ti:sapphire pump laser and type-I BBO crystals for DC-OPA.
• Optimized seed spectrum and employed a prism pair compressor with >70% throughput.
• Investigated a novel dual pump DC-OPA configuration.

Main Results:

• Generated an IR pulse with energy >0.1 J at 1.7 µm using the optimized DC-OPA.
• Compressed the 1.7 µm pulse to 31 fs, achieving a peak power of 2.3 TW.
• Demonstrated the feasibility of the BBO type-I DC-OPA.

Conclusions:

• The optimized DC-OPA scheme successfully produced high-energy, ultrashort IR pulses.
• The proposed dual pump DC-OPA scheme holds potential for generating two-cycle duration, high-energy IR pulses.