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Compact monolithic source of 31 μJ deep-ultraviolet pulses approaching 20 fs via self-phase-modulated third-harmonic
Optics Letters
|April 1, 2026
Summary
We developed a compact deep-ultraviolet (DUV) laser system producing 31 μJ pulses at 267 nm. This efficient THG scheme is ideal for ultrafast spectroscopy and advanced photocathode applications.
Area of Science:
- Nonlinear Optics
- Ultrafast Lasers
- Quantum Electronics
Background:
- Deep-ultraviolet (DUV) light sources are crucial for probing ultrafast phenomena.
- Existing DUV generation methods often lack compactness and efficiency.
- Ti:sapphire lasers provide a versatile platform for nonlinear frequency conversion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate a compact and efficient monolithic third-harmonic generation (THG) scheme.
- To generate high-energy DUV pulses at 267 nm.
- To enable practical DUV applications like ultrafast spectroscopy and photocathode generation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a monolithic optical layout (<20 cm) driven by 50 fs Ti:sapphire pulses.
- Employed self-phase modulation in a nonlinear crystal to broaden spectral bandwidths.
- Achieved pulse compression of deep-ultraviolet (DUV) pulses to near 20 fs.
Main Results:
- Delivered 31 μJ DUV pulses at 267 nm with a conversion efficiency of ~0.9%.
- Demonstrated pulse compression to 20 fs, supporting ultrafast temporal resolution.
- Showcased scalability potential for higher energy DUV pulse generation (~49 μJ).
Conclusions:
- A compact, alignment-friendly, and robust THG architecture for DUV generation was successfully demonstrated.
- The developed DUV source is suitable for applications requiring high temporal resolution and energy.
- Potential applications include ultrafast spectroscopy of wide-bandgap materials, biomolecular dynamics, and bright photocathode generation.
