Asymmetric high energy dual optical parametric amplifier for parametric processes and waveform synthesis

Area of Science:

• Nonlinear optics
• Laser physics
• Ultrafast science

Background:

• Optical parametric amplifiers (OPAs) are crucial for generating tunable laser light.
• Achieving precise phase control between multiple OPA outputs is challenging but essential for advanced applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report on a novel asymmetric dual optical parametric amplifier (OPA) system.
• To demonstrate relative phase locking of idlers, signals, or depleted pumps at commensurate or incommensurate wavelengths.
• To showcase the system's utility in high-energy waveform synthesis and strong pump difference frequency generation (DFG).

Main Methods:

• Development of an asymmetric dual OPA system.
• Utilizing a 1 kHz, 18 mJ Ti:Sapphire laser as the pump source.
• Achieving independent tunability of both OPA arms from 1080 nm to 2600 nm.
• Demonstrating phase locking with <200 mrad rms jitter.

Main Results:

• The OPA system achieves relative phase locking of idlers and signals with <200 mrad rms jitter (212 as at 2 µm).
• High energy output: 3.5 mJ from the high-energy arm and 1.5 mJ from the low-energy arm.
• Independent tunability of both arms across a broad spectral range (1080-2600 nm).
• Successful generation of terahertz radiation via two-color waveform synthesis in air plasma, showing phase influence.

Conclusions:

• The developed OPA provides high energy, tunable, and phase-locked outputs.
• This system is ideal for strong pump DFG and near-infrared waveform synthesis.
• The ability to phase lock multiple wavelengths opens new possibilities in nonlinear optics and ultrafast science.