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Plasma mirrors for ultrahigh-intensity optics

Abstract

Specular reflection is one of the most fundamental processes of optics. At moderate light intensities generated by conventional light sources this process is well understood. But at those capable of being produced by modern ultrahigh-intensity lasers, many new and potentially useful phenomena arise. When a pulse from such a laser hits an optically polished surface, it generates a dense plasma that itself acts as a mirror, known as a plasma mirror (PM). PMs do not just reflect the remainder of the incident beam, but can act as active optical elements. Using a set of three consecutive PMs in different regimes, we significantly improve the temporal contrast of femtosecond pulses, and demonstrate that high-order harmonics of the laser frequency can be generated through two distinct mechanisms. A better understanding of these processes should aid the development of laser-driven atto-second sources for use in fields from materials science to molecular biology. (authors)
Authors:
Thaury, C; Quere, F; Levy, A; Ceccotti, T; Monot, P; Bougeard, M; Reau, F; D'Oliveira, P; Martin, PH; [1]  Geindre, J P; Audebert, P; [2]  Marjoribanks, R; [3]  Marjoribanks, R [4] 
  1. CEA, DSM, DRECAM, Serv Photons Atomes and Mol, F-91191 Gif Sur Yvette, (France)
  2. Ecole Polytech, CNRS, Lab Utilisat Lasers Inst, F-91128 Palaiseau, (France)
  3. Univ Toronto, Dept Phys, Toronto, ON M5S 1A7, (Canada)
  4. Univ Toronto, Inst Opt Sci, Toronto, ON M5S 1A7, (Canada)
Publication Date:
Jul 01, 2007
Product Type:
Journal Article
Resource Relation:
Journal Name: Nature Physics (Print); Journal Volume: 3; Journal Issue: 6; Other Information: 50 refs
Subject:
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY; CARBON DIOXIDE LASERS; ELECTRIC FIELDS; ELECTRON DENSITY; HARMONICS; LASER-PRODUCED PLASMA; MIRRORS; PLASMA WAVES; REFLECTIVITY; SIMULATION
OSTI ID:
21247719
Country of Origin:
France
Language:
English
Other Identifying Numbers:
Journal ID: ISSN 1745-2473; TRN: FR09F0213108455
Availability:
Available from doi: <http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nphys595>;INIS
Submitting Site:
FRN
Size:
page(s) 424-429
Announcement Date:
Dec 31, 2009

Citation Formats

Thaury, C, Quere, F, Levy, A, Ceccotti, T, Monot, P, Bougeard, M, Reau, F, D'Oliveira, P, Martin, PH, Geindre, J P, Audebert, P, Marjoribanks, R, and Marjoribanks, R. Plasma mirrors for ultrahigh-intensity optics. France: N. p., 2007. Web. doi:10.1038/NPHYS595.
Thaury, C, Quere, F, Levy, A, Ceccotti, T, Monot, P, Bougeard, M, Reau, F, D'Oliveira, P, Martin, PH, Geindre, J P, Audebert, P, Marjoribanks, R, & Marjoribanks, R. Plasma mirrors for ultrahigh-intensity optics. France. https://doi.org/10.1038/NPHYS595
Thaury, C, Quere, F, Levy, A, Ceccotti, T, Monot, P, Bougeard, M, Reau, F, D'Oliveira, P, Martin, PH, Geindre, J P, Audebert, P, Marjoribanks, R, and Marjoribanks, R. 2007. "Plasma mirrors for ultrahigh-intensity optics." France. https://doi.org/10.1038/NPHYS595.
@misc{etde_21247719,
title = {Plasma mirrors for ultrahigh-intensity optics}
author = {Thaury, C, Quere, F, Levy, A, Ceccotti, T, Monot, P, Bougeard, M, Reau, F, D'Oliveira, P, Martin, PH, Geindre, J P, Audebert, P, Marjoribanks, R, and Marjoribanks, R}
abstractNote = {Specular reflection is one of the most fundamental processes of optics. At moderate light intensities generated by conventional light sources this process is well understood. But at those capable of being produced by modern ultrahigh-intensity lasers, many new and potentially useful phenomena arise. When a pulse from such a laser hits an optically polished surface, it generates a dense plasma that itself acts as a mirror, known as a plasma mirror (PM). PMs do not just reflect the remainder of the incident beam, but can act as active optical elements. Using a set of three consecutive PMs in different regimes, we significantly improve the temporal contrast of femtosecond pulses, and demonstrate that high-order harmonics of the laser frequency can be generated through two distinct mechanisms. A better understanding of these processes should aid the development of laser-driven atto-second sources for use in fields from materials science to molecular biology. (authors)}
doi = {10.1038/NPHYS595}
journal = []
issue = {6}
volume = {3}
place = {France}
year = {2007}
month = {Jul}
}