Title :
Chirped pulse amplification of 300 fs pulses in an alexandrite regenerative amplifier
Author :
Pessot, Maurice ; Squier, Jeff ; Bado, Philippe ; Mourou, Gerard ; Harter, Donald J.
Author_Institution :
Lab. for Laser Energetics, Rochester Univ., NY, USA
Abstract :
The amplification of femtosecond dye laser pulses up to the 3.5-mJ level in an alexandrite regenerative amplifier is discussed. An expansion/compression system using diffraction gratings allows chirped amplification techniques to be used to produce peak powers upwards of 1 GW. Limitations in the chirped pulse amplification of ultrashort pulses due to intracavity dispersive elements are discussed.<>
Keywords :
beryllium compounds; chromium; diffraction gratings; high-speed optical techniques; laser cavity resonators; solid lasers; 1 GW; 3.5 mJ; 300 fs; BeAl/sub 2/O/sub 4/:Cr/sup 3+/; alexandrite regenerative amplifier; chirped amplification techniques; chirped pulse amplification; diffraction gratings; intracavity dispersive elements; ultrashort pulses; Bandwidth; Chirp; Diffraction gratings; Dispersion; Optical materials; Optical pulse generation; Optical pulses; Pulse amplifiers; Pulse compression methods; Solid state circuits;
Journal_Title :
Quantum Electronics, IEEE Journal of
