Angular-dispersion-induced spatiotemporal aberrations in noncollinear optical parametric amplifiers

Journal Article · Thu Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 2009 · Optics Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1364/OL.35.002251· OSTI ID:983623

Bromage, Jake ^[1]; Dorrer, Christophe; Zuegel, Jonathan D.

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1. Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY

We characterize spatiotemporal aberrations induced in noncollinear optical parametric amplifiers (NOPAs), for the first time (to our knowledge), using spatially resolved spectral interferometry. Measurements show that when the submillimeter pump and signal beams are not correctly aligned, several degrees of pulse-front tilt caused by angular dispersion are introduced by the NOPA angular-dependent gain, without significant loss of bandwidth. After eliminating the pulse-front tilt, analysis of the residual higher-order aberrations shows that far-field intensities reaching 80% of the theoretical limit can be achieved without complex spatiospectral phase optimization.

• Research Organization: Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: FC52-08NA28302
• OSTI ID: 983623
• Report Number(s): DOE/NA/28302-963; 2010-43; 1945
• Journal Information: Optics Letters, Journal Name: Optics Letters Journal Issue: 13 Vol. 35; ISSN 0146-9592; ISSN OPLEDP
• Publisher: Optical Society of America (OSA)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English