Generation of high-contrast millijoule pulses by optical parametric chirped-pulse amplification in periodically poled KTiOPO4
A new high-contrast, high-gain optical parametric chirped-pulse amplifier (OPCPA) architecture is demonstrated in periodically poled KTiOPO{sub 4} (PPKTP). This architecture overcomes parametric fluorescence contrast limitations of OPCPA in periodically poled materials. The scheme is based on two passes of a single, relay imaged, pump pulse and a free-propagating signal pulse through a 1.5 x 5 x 7.5 mm{sup 3} PPKTP crystal. The output energy of 1.2 mJ is generated at a center wavelength of 1053 nm utilizing 24 mJ of pump energy. Prepulse contrast level of >3 x 10{sup 7} has been measured with >10{sup 6} saturated gain in the amplifier. Amplified pulses were compressed to 200 fs. This simple and versatile concept requires only a modest pump energy from a commercial pump laser and represents a possible high-contrast front end for high-energy Nd:glass-based petawatt-class lasers.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Lab., Livermore, CA (US)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- US Department of Energy (US)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 15016705
- Report Number(s):
- UCRL-JRNL-207023
- Journal Information:
- Optics Letters, Journal Name: Optics Letters Journal Issue: 9 Vol. 30; ISSN 0146-9592; ISSN OPLEDP
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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