Dispersive temporal compression of laser pulses as an alternative solution to the self focusing problem in laser amplifier chains

Technical Report · Thu Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1973

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/4399846· OSTI ID:4399846

Fisher, R. A.; Bischel, W. K.

In response to the discovery of a nonlinear index of refraction (n/sub 2/ ) in Nd: glass laser media, experimenters have traditionally expanded the beam diameter (and reduced the intensity) to alleviate the self-focusing tendency. It is proposed here to reduce the peak intensity by injecting a lower intensity and longer-duration pulse into the amplifier chain. It is predicted that the glass nonlinearity will impress upon the pulse a chirp suitable for efficient temporal compression. This may result in more efficient laser operation. Related schemes have been used in radar systems. As an example, the evolution of a 1 nsec (full 1/e duration) temporally Gaussian pulse in a 2 m long Nd: glass laser chain was calculated. For a chain averaged intensity of 2 GW/cm/sup 2/, one calculates that the pulse could be subsequently compressed (by a series of GiresTournois interferometers) to 125 psec with good stability against input pulse amplitude noise. (auth)

• Research Organization: California Univ., Livermore (USA). Lawrence Livermore Lab.
• Sponsoring Organization: US Atomic Energy Commission (AEC)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• NSA Number: NSA-29-009714
• OSTI ID: 4399846
• Report Number(s): UCID--16405
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

*LASERS-- PULSES
COMPRESSION
FOCUSING
LASER RADIATION
N70000* --Physics--Controlled Thermonuclear Research
NEODYMIUM
REFRACTION
THERMODYNAMICS