Development of a broadband reflective phase retarder to generate circularly polarized light for MTW-OPAL and multipetawatt lasers

Journal Article · Tue Dec 17 00:00:00 EST 2024 · Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3029583· OSTI ID:2497779

Jeon, Cheonha ^[1]; Black, A. Nicholas ^[1]; Spilatro, Michael ^[1]; Bahk, Seung-Whan ^[1]; Bromage, Jake ^[1]

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1. University of Rochester, NY (United States)

Here, our research focuses on designing metallic coatings to create broadband all-reflective phase retarders that generate circularly polarized (CP) light for the MTW-OPAL Laser System while ensuring the desired polarization state on the target. This all-reflective phase retarder can function as a phase retarder when used in an out-of-plane configuration, whereas it acts as a normal mirror set in an in-plane configuration. If the polarization of the beam is not purely s- or p-polarized, however, mirrors will in general introduce retardance, and therefore compensators or polarization-independent mirror pairs are needed to ensure the desired polarization at the target plane.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Rochester, NY (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
• Grant/Contract Number: NA0004144
• OSTI ID: 2497779
• Journal Information: Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering, Vol. 13190; Conference: SPIE Laser Damage, San Ramon, CA (United States), 7-11 Oct 2024; ISSN 0277-786X
• Publisher: SPIE
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

Mirrors
Polarized light
Wave plates
Polarization
Phase shifts
Dielectric polarization
Laser systems engineering
Coating thickness
Reflection
High power lasers
Optical coatings
Achromatic
Broadband
Ultra-intense laser