Compression and shaping of pulses from high power solid state lasers

Pulse compression is discussed as one possible means to overcome the pulse energy limitations imposed by self focusing in high power solid laser systems. Linear and nonlinear processing techniques are compared. In linear systems, a short oscillator pulse is expanded, chirped, and shaped entirely by linear dispersive and filter elements. It is then re-compressed after being amplified. In nonlinear systems, the oscillator pulse is long, and the chirp is created by self phase modulation in a Kerr liquid. A comparison is made between the Gires-Tournois interferometer and the grating pair for use in high energy pulse compression.