Q-Switching the Flash Ti: Sapphire Laser
- SLAC
The Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC) uses a flash lamp pumped Ti:Sapphire laser to generate the electron beam inside of the Linac. This laser system was installed at the SLAC Polarized Light Source in 1993. During the past, the system has been upgraded in several steps (eg. installation of Rhodium coated reflectors, cavity redesign, and remote controlled wavelength tunability). Q-switching the laser cavity to increase the peak pulse energy was successfully investigated and further improves the capabilities of the laser system for future polarized beam experiments. Two Pockels cells were used to perform the Q-switch and various diagnostics were used to characterize the modified laser pulse. The timing in relation to the laser trigger, pulse width, and pulse shape applied to the Q-switching Pockels cells (PC) were optimized. No damage to the laser cavity or optical elements occurred. At optimal conditions of Q-switching, the pulse energy of the laser increased from 0.4 mJ to over 3 mJ in a 300 ns pulse. The Q-switched pulse energy can be further increased by extending the hold-off pulse applied to the PC. The laser pulse produced by the Q-switch was long enough (full width half maximum (FWHM) > 200 ns) for pulse shaping and demonstrated good intensity stability (< 0.5% jitter). The increase in output power suggests that Q-switching will be used for future accelerator projects.
- Research Organization:
- Stanford Linear Accelerator Center, Menlo Park, CA (US)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Science (US)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC03-76SF00515;
- OSTI ID:
- 815639
- Report Number(s):
- SLAC-TN-03-009
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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