Nonlinear pulse compression of a 200 mJ and 1 kW ultrafast thin-disk amplifier

Abstract

We present a high-energy laser source consisting of an ultrafast thin-disk amplifier followed by a nonlinear compression stage. At a repetition rate of 5 kHz, the drive laser provides a pulse energy of up to 200 mJ with a pulse duration below 500 fs. Nonlinear broadening is implemented inside a Herriott-type multipass cell purged with noble gas, allowing us to operate under different seeding conditions. Firstly, the nonlinear broadening of 64 mJ pulses is demonstrated in an argon-filled cell, showing a compressibility down to 32 fs. Finally, we employ helium as a nonlinear medium to increase the energy up to 200 mJ while maintaining compressibility below 50 fs. Such high-energy pulses with sub-50 fs duration hold great promise as drivers of secondary sources.

Advanced Laser Plasma Diagnostics for a Modular High-Repetition Rate Plasma Electron Accelerator

“…In addition, recent advances in laser research such as multipass cell post-compression schemes [13,14], high-energy optical parametric chirped pulse amplification [15] (OPCPA), or the use of alternative laser media (e.g. Yb) [16,17] are promising developments toward suitable lasers for driving robust and reliable laser-plasma accelerators (LPA) for real-life applications.…”

Kilowatt-class high repetition rate ultrafast lasers based on industrial slab and disk laser platforms

“…As demonstrated previously, thin-disk multipass amplifiers are ideally suited for multi-mJ operation at kW-class average power. [14][15][16] [17] In addition, advanced techniques allow for nonlinear pulse compression to sub-50 fs duration at hundreds of mJ, which makes such sources attractive for the generation of secondary radiation, [18] possibly also at even higher average powers that could well exceed the 10 kW level that has already been demonstrated at close to fundamental beam quality before. [19]…”