Nearly-diffraction-limited laser focal spot obtained using an optically addressed light valve in an adaptive optics loop

Author

Chanteloup, J.-C. ; Migus, A. ; Loiseaux, B. ; Huignard, J.-P.

Author_Institution

Lab. pour l´Utilisation des Lasers Intenses, Ecole Polytech., Palaiseau, France

fYear

1998

fDate

3-8 May 1998

Firstpage

58

Lastpage

59

Abstract

Summary form only given. Ultra-intense laser systems with peak power in the 10 TW-1 PW range are difficult to focus close to the diffraction limit because of phase-front aberrations. In this paper, we describe a new technique we have implemented, which significantly improves the focal spot quality by correcting the wave front from a highly distorted laser beam. In this experiment, detection is achieved through an achromatic three-wave lateral shearing interferometer.

Keywords

aberrations; adaptive optics; laser beams; light diffraction; light interferometers; optical focusing; 10 TW to 1 PW; achromatic three-wave lateral shearing interferometer; adaptive optics loop; diffraction limit; focal spot quality; highly distorted laser beam; light interferometers; nearly-diffraction-limited laser focal spot; optically addressed light valve; peak power; phase-front aberrations; ultra-intense laser systems; wave front correction; Active matrix liquid crystal displays; Adaptive optics; Lenses; Optical coupling; Optical devices; Optical distortion; Optical interferometry; Optical sensors; Ultrafast optics; Valves;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Lasers and Electro-Optics, 1998. CLEO 98. Technical Digest. Summaries of papers presented at the Conference on

Conference_Location

San Francisco, CA, USA

Print_ISBN

1-55752-339-0

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/CLEO.1998.675864

Filename

675864