High-Power Solid-State Near- and Mid-IR Ultrafast Laser Sources for Strong-Field Science

Abstract

This review highlights the development of ultrafast sources in the near- and middle-IR range, developed in the laboratory of Nonlinear Optics and Superstrong Laser Fields at Lomonosov Moscow State University. The design of laser systems is based on a powerful ultrafast Cr:Forsterite system as a front-end and the subsequent nonlinear conversion of radiation into the mid-IR, THz, and UV spectral range. Various schemes of optical parametric amplifiers based on oxide and non-oxide crystals pumped with Cr:Forsterite laser can receive pulses in the range of 4–6 µm with gigawatt peak power. Alternative sources of mid-IR ultrashort laser pulses at a relatively high (MHz) repetition rate are also proposed as difference frequency generators and as a femtosecond mode-locked oscillator based on an Fe:ZnSe crystal. Iron ion-doped chalcogenides (Fe:ZnSe and Fe:CdSe) are shown to be effective gain media for broadband high-peak power mid-IR pulses in this spectral range. The developed sources pave the way for advanced research in strong-field science.

Infrared spectroscopic monitoring of solid-state processes

“…57,[394][395][396][397][398] The development in the field of femtosecond IR spectroscopy also promises deep insight into ultrafast dynamics of solid-state systems, and significant breakthroughs are also to be expected here. [399][400][401] Microspectroscopy. The brilliance of synchrotron radiation now enables analysis of hitherto elusive processes over a wide spectral range of electromagnetic radiation, including IR.…”

“…57,394–398 The development in the field of femtosecond IR spectroscopy also promises deep insight into ultrafast dynamics of solid-state systems, and significant breakthroughs are also to be expected here. 399–401…”

Hybrid Approach for Multiscale and Multimodal Time-Resolved Diagnosis of Ultrafast Processes in Materials via Tailored Synchronization of Laser and X-ray Sources at MHz Repetition Rates

“…By varying the time delay between the pump and probe pulses, the evolution of the system's dynamics can be captured with ensured temporal resolution [4][5][6]. Detection of the probe signal can be accomplished using a range of techniques, including photodiodes, streak cameras, transient absorption spectroscopy, or time-resolved spectroscopy [7].…”

Rare-Earth-Doped Selenide Glasses as Laser Materials for the 5–6 μm Spectral Range

“…Significant progress in the development of MIR solid-state lasers has been achieved in crystals based on Fe 2+ -doped chalcogenide materials [4][5][6][7][8], among which the longest wavelength tuning range of 4.5-6.8 µm was achieved with the Fe 2+ :CdTe laser. However, the short upper-state lifetimes (in the sub-µs range) and the need for cryogenic cooling make the implementation of these lasers difficult in practice.…”