Optimizing the performance of non-collinear optical parametric chirped pulse amplification via multi-pass structure based on two geometry configurations

Abstract

We propose a method for multi-pass non-collinear optical parametric chirped pulse amplification (MNOPCPA) based on two geometries, tangent phase-matching (TPM) and Poynting vector walk-off compensation (PVWC), which optimize the performance of optical parametric chirped pulse amplification (OPCPA). A feasible design scheme is also presented for use in implementing this approach. Employing this design, we construct and perform a numerical simulation, showing that back-conversion from the signal and idler to the pump can be inhibited, and that the conversion efficiency can be boosted dramatically, approaching the theoretical limit of ~64%, when amplification is nearly saturated at full bandwidth. In the MNOPCPA scheme, the output signal has a wider spectrum and a corresponding shorter Fourier-limited pulse duration with the pump being continuously depleted. A barycenter shift of the signal spot results from a spatial walk-off effect due to the pump, which can be offset and corrected well. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of a multi-pass non-collinear OPCPA method employed the scheme of regenerative amplification.

Polarization-Based Idler Elimination: Enhancing the Efficiency of Optical Parametric Amplification

“…Another approach is to suppress the back-conversion completely, which can be achieved by eliminating the idler wave from the interaction just before the pump wave is fully depleted. Besides some theoretical suggestions [17][18][19][20], this was previously achieved by employing idler second-harmonic generation (SHG) [21], non-collinear pump recycling schemes [22][23][24] and samarium (Sm +3 ) doped yttrium calcium oxyborate (Sm:YCOB) nonlinear crystals that strongly absorb the idler wave at infrared wavelengths [25,26], which led to 56% pump-to-signal conversion efficiency and pump depletion of 85%. Nevertheless, when compared to solutions employed in typical OPA devices, these approaches tend to either consume a lot of space, demand exotic materials or lack tunability.…”

Polarization-Based Idler Elimination: Enhancing the Efficiency of Optical Parametric Amplification

“…Another approach is to suppress the back-conversion completely, which can be achieved by eliminating the idler wave from the interaction just before the pump wave is fully depleted. Besides some theoretical suggestions [17][18][19][20], this was previously achieved by employing idler second-harmonic generation (SHG) [21], non-collinear pump recycling schemes [22][23][24] and samarium (Sm +3 ) doped yttrium calcium oxyborate (Sm:YCOB) nonlinear crystals that strongly absorb the idler wave at infrared wavelengths [25,26], which led to 56% pump-to-signal conversion efficiency and pump depletion of 85%. Nevertheless, when compared to solutions employed in typical OPA devices, these approaches tend to either consume a lot of space, demand exotic materials or lack tunability.…”