Beam properties of fully optimized,table-top,coherent source at 30 nm

We present results on development and experimental implementation of a 1-kHz, coherent extreme ultraviolet (XUV) radia- tion source based on high-order harmonic generation of the femtosecond, near-infrared laser pulses produced by the titanium-doped sapphire laser system (35 fs, 1.2 mJ, 810 nm) at the Institute of Physics AS CR / PALS Centre. The source comprises a low-density static gas cell filled with a conversion medium, typically argon. The comprehensive optimization of the XUV harmonic source has been performed with respect to major parameters such as gas pressure in the cell, cell length, position of the focus of the driving laser field with respect to the gas cell position, size of the driving near-infrared laser beam, chirp of the femtosecond pulse, and the focal length of the lens deployed in the experimental setup. Harmonic spectra were recorded using an XUV transmission grating spectrometer developed specifically for this purpose. Detailed characterization of the XUV source has been performed including measurement of the XUV beam profile, M² parameter of the beam, absolute energy, and spatial coherence.     

High harmonic XUV spectral phase interferometry for direct electric-field reconstruction

We demonstrate the first experimental complete temporal characterization of high-harmonic XUV pulses by spectral phase interferometry, with an all-optical setup. This method allows us to perform single-shot measurements of the harmonic temporal profile and phase, revealing a remarkable shot-to-shot stability. We characterize harmonics generated in argon by a 50 fs 800 nm laser pulse. The 11th harmonic is found to be 22 fs long with a negative chirp rate of -4.8 x 10(27) s(-2). This duration can be reduced to 13 fs by modulating the polarization of the generating laser. The technique is easy to implement and could be routinely used in femtosecond XUV pump-probe experiments with harmonics.     

Studies on laser–plasma interaction physics for shock ignition

We realized a series of experiments to study the physics of laser–plasma interaction in an intensity regime of interest for the novel “Shock Ignition” approach to Inertial Fusion. Experiments were performed at the Prague Asterix Laser System laser in Prague using two laser beams: an “auxiliary” beam, for pre-plasma creation, with intensity around 7?×?10¹³?W/cm² (250?ps, 1ω, λ?=?1315?nm) and the “main” beam, up to 10¹⁶?W/cm (250?ps, 3ω, λ?=?438?nm), to launch a shock. The main goal of these experiments is to study the process of the formation of a very strong shock and the influence of hot electrons in the generation of very high pressures. The shock produced by the ablation of the plastic layer is studied by shock breakout chronometry. The generation of hot electrons is analyzed by imaging Kα emission.     

Ion and X-ray techniques used for study of laser-produced plasmas

This review article describes apparatus for ion and X-ray diagnostics, which were used in experimental studies of laser-produced plasmas performed by the IPPLM's team in collaboration with other researchers at IPPLM and PALS Research Centre in Prague (the Czech Republic). The investigations of expanding laser-produced plasma properties in dependence on laser beam parameters were done by means of ion diagnostics devices: ion collectors (ICs), cylindrical ion energy analyzer (IEA) and the mass spectrograph of the Thomson type. At IPPLM, different types of detectors have been developed for measurement of X-ray emission. Properties of laser-produced beams of ions and X-ray radiation were analysed in the cooperative experiments performed with the use of a high-energy iodine laser PALS at the PALS Research Centre ASCR in the Czech Republic and the low-energy repetitive laser at IPPLM.     

X-Rays emission by high-intensity pulsed lasers irradiating thin foils at PALS laboratory

X-rays and forward ion emission from laser-generated plasma in the Target Normal Sheath Acceleration regime of different targets with 10-μm thickness, irradiated at Prague Asterix Laser System (PALS) laboratory at about 10¹⁶ W/cm² intensity, employing a 1,315 nm-wavelength laser with a 300-ps pulse duration, are investigated. The photon and ion emissions were mainly measured using Silicon Carbide (SiC) detectors in time-of-flight configuration and X-ray streak camera imaging. The results show that the maximum proton acceleration value and the X-ray emission yield growth are proportional to the atomic number of the irradiated targets. The X-ray emission is not isotropic, with energies increasing from 1 keV for light atomic targets to about 2.5 keV for heavy atomic targets. The laser focal position significantly influences the X-ray emission from light and heavy irradiated targets, indicating the possible induction of self-focusing effects when the laser beam is focalized in front of the light target surface and of electron density enhancement for focalization inside the target.     

High-harmonic generation and plasma radiation from water microdroplets

This work studied the emission of XUV radiation from water microdroplets under excitation with either a single or a pair of intense femtosecond laser pulses (Ti:Sa, 80 fs, 10¹⁴ W/cm² , 800 nm, 1 kHz). When varying the delay between the two pulses a transition from pure incoherent plasma emission to coherent high-harmonic generation was observed. Under optimized conditions high-harmonic radiation up to the 27th order was obtained. PACS 33.80.-b; 39.10.+j; 42.65.ky; 52.50.Jm     

飞秒激光在光子晶体光纤中产生超连续光谱机制的实验研究

报道了利用零色散在780nm处的光子晶体光纤与纳焦耳量级的飞秒激光脉冲相互作用的实验结果.实验使用35fs，中心波长810—840nm，单脉冲能量可达14nJ的飞秒激光光源获得了超过一个倍频程的平坦超连续光谱（500—1100nm）.在不同功率、不同中心波长、不同啁啾和有无直流成分的多种飞秒脉冲激光的条件下，研究了超连续光谱的产生情况.并对一系列现象进行了对比，分析了超连续光谱产生的机制. 关键词： 光子晶体光纤 飞秒脉冲激光 超连续光谱     

2.5-MeV neutron source controlled by high-intensity pulsed laser generating plasma

A laptop neutron source suited for the most demanding field or laboratory applications is presented. It is based on laser ablation of CD₂ primary targets, plasma acceleration of the D⁺ ions, and their irradiation of secondary CD₂ targets. The deuterium–deuterium (D-D) fusion reaction is induced in the secondary target, according to the values of fusion cross-section versus deuteron energy, which show a significant probability also at relatively low ion energies. The experiments were completed in the PALS laboratory, Prague, detecting monoenergetic neutrons at 2.45 MeV with an emission flux of about 10⁹ neutrons per laser shot. Other experiments demonstrating the possibility to induce D-D events were performed at IPPLM, Warsaw, and at INFN-LNS, Catania, where the deuterons were accelerated at about 4 MeV and 50 keV, respectively. In the last case, a low laser intensity and a post-ion acceleration system were employed. A special interaction chamber, under vacuum, is proposed to develop a new source of monochromatic neutrons or thermalized distribution of neutrons     

相对论圆偏振激光与固体靶作用产生高次谐波

超短超强激光与固体靶表面等离子体相互作用可以通过高次谐波的方式产生从极紫外到软X射线波段的相干辐射,获得飞秒甚至阿秒量级的超短脉冲,可用于观测原子或分子中的电子运动等超快动力学过程.本文实验研究了相对论圆偏振飞秒激光与固体靶相互作用的高次谐波产生过程,实验结果表明,在较大入射角下,圆偏振激光也可以有效地产生高次谐波辐射.通过预脉冲控制靶表面的预等离子体密度标长,发现高次谐波的产生效率随密度标长的增加而单调下降.进一步通过二维粒子模拟程序,分析了激光的偏振以及预等离子体密度标长对高次谐波产生的影响,很好地解释了实验观测结果.     

Energy scaling of a carbon nanotube saturable absorber mode-locked femtosecond bulk laser

We report successful energy scaling of a room-temperature femtosecond Cr⁴⁺: forsterite laser by using a single-walled carbon nanotube saturable absorber (SWCNT-SA). By incorporating a q-preserving multipass cavity, a repetition rate of 4.51?MHz was realized, and the oscillator produced 121?fs, 10?nJ pulses at 1247?nm, with an average output power of 46?mW. To the best of our knowledge, the peak power of 84?kW is the highest generated to date from a SWCNT-SA mode-locked oscillator. Furthermore, energy scaling of a femtosecond multipass-cavity laser, mode-locked using a SWCNT-SA, is demonstrated for the first time.     

光场电离类镍氪等离子体参数研究

计算了１０ＨＺ、１４０ｆｓ、５０ｍＪ、８００ｎｍ圆偏振光场电离产生的类镍氪等离子体参数,着重研究了电离激光强度对等离子体参数的影响,并由此确定了适合于电子撞激发类镍氪３１．９ｎｍ超紫外（ＸＵＶ）激光系统的最佳激光强度。     

Two-step femtosecond laser pulse train fabrication of nanostructured substrates for highly surface-enhanced Raman scattering

A simple and repeatable method using femtosecond laser pulse train to fabricate nanostructured substrates with silver nanoparticles over a large area for surface-enhanced Raman scattering is reported. The method involves two steps: (1)?femtosecond laser pulse train micromachining and roughening and (2)?femtosecond laser processing of the substrates in a silver nitrate solution. Surface modification is investigated experimentally by varying the time delay of the double femtosecond laser pulse train. With time delay ranging from 200 to 600?fs, the different enhancement factors were observed. This study demonstrates that a maximum enhancement factor of 6.8×10⁶, measured by 10^-6 M Rhodamine 6G solution, can be achieved at the time delay of 400?fs.     

Removal of nanoparticles on silicon wafer using a self-channeled plasma filament

The effective removal of nanoparticles from a silicon wafer surface was demonstrated using the self-channeled plasma filament excited by a femtosecond (130?fs) Ti:sapphire laser (?? _p=790?nm). The photoinduced self-channeled plasma filament in air reached a length of approximately 110?C130?mm from the first focal spot with diameters ranging from 40 to 50???m at input intensities of more than 1.0×10¹⁴?W/cm². By the scan of wafer using the X?CY?CZ stage during self-channeled plasma filament, the removal variation of nanoparticles on surface was observed in situ before and after the plasma filament occurred. The cleaning efficiency was strongly dependent on the gap distance between the plasma filament and the surface. The removal efficiency of nanoparticles reached 96?% with no damage to the surface when the gap was 150???m.     

Enhancement of hard X-ray yield under the interaction of Cr: Forsterite femtosecond laser radiation with Xe clusters

Experiments on the interaction of femtosecond laser radiation (1240 nm, 140 fs,10¹⁶W/cm²) with a Xe cluster beam in a Xe-Ne binary mixture are carried out. The formation of Xe clusters in the presence of light carrier gas (Ne) is found to narrow the Xe cluster beam and enhance the x-ray yield (at about 4 keV). X-ray generation efficiency is about 10⁻⁸. Original Russian Text ? A.P. Golubev, V.M. Gordienko, M.S. Dzhidzhoev, I.A. Makarov, D.N. Trubnikov, 2009, published in Vestnik Moskovskogo Universiteta. Fizika, 2009, No. 2, pp. 112–114.     

Ion acceleration from aluminium plasma generated by a femtosecond laser in different conditions

Non-equilibrium plasma was obtained by irradiating Al foils in vacuum with a femtosecond (fs) laser at intensities of the order of 10¹⁸ W/cm². Protons and other light ions were accelerated in the forward direction by using the target-normal-sheath acceleration regime. Time-of-flight technique was employed to measure the ions' kinetic energy using SiC detectors placed at known distances and angles. The ion acceleration was monitored under different conditions of laser focal position, laser pulse energy, and laser contrast. The target was irradiated using different thicknesses and anti-reflecting graphene films. By optimizing the laser parameters, irradiation conditions, and target properties, it was possible to accelerate up to 2.3 MeV per charge state, as will be presented and discussed.     

声光偏转器扫描飞秒激光的时间色散补偿

研究了声光偏转器(AOD)扫描飞秒激光的时间色散效应及补偿方案.在800nm波长处，单个AOD引入的群延时色散(GDD)可达～9300fs².在深入分析AOD和棱镜角色散原理的基础上，提出了用色散棱镜预补偿AOD对飞秒脉冲的时间色散，并进行了实验证实.在AOD中心频率处(70MHz)，将398fs的脉冲压缩到122fs，且整个带宽范围内(50MHz—90MHz)脉宽变化范围为120fs—180fs.这表明该方案用于AOD扫描飞秒激光时进行时间色散补偿是非常有效的. 关键词： 飞秒激光 声光偏转器 时间色散 脉冲压缩     

飞秒激光空气等离子体发射光谱的实验研究

对强飞秒激光聚焦在空气中所激发的等离子体的发射光谱进行了实验研究.结果表明,光谱特征表现为短波段(截至波长为340 nm)强烈的连续谱和长波段(波长在800 nm附近)强度相对较低的线光谱.在脉冲宽度(50 fs)保持不变而不断调节激光脉冲能量时,等离子体光谱形状的特征基本相似;当激光脉冲能量(1 mJ)保持不变而脉冲宽度从50 fs增加至500 fs和1 ps时,连续谱的峰值(500 nm)显得格外突出,并开始呈现出线光谱特征. 关键词： 飞秒激光 激光空气等离子体 发射光谱 线光谱     

Spatially-uniform temporal recompression of intense femtosecond optical pulses

A specially designed telescope with defocusing lens and off-axis parabolic mirror, which is working as a nonlinear element and producing self-phase modulation, was implemented for intense (3.1?TW/cm²) Fourier Transform Limit femtosecond laser pulses with Gaussian beam profiles. The pulse spectrum was broadened quasi- homogeneously over the beam cross-section due to the change in the lens thickness compensating for the reduction of the beam intensity from its center to periphery. In experimental demonstrations a set of chirped mirrors allowed for the spectral phase correction to a final pulse compression of 20?fs from 40?fs.     

Femtosecond petawatt laser

The high‐power femtosecond laser has now become an excellent scientific tool for the study of not only relativistic laser–matter interactions but also scientific applications. The high‐power femtosecond laser depends on the Kerr‐lens modelocking (KLM) and chirped‐pulse amplification (CPA) technique. An all‐Ti:sapphire‐based 30‐fs PW CPA laser, which is called the PULSER (Petawatt Ultrashort Laser System for Extreme Science Research) has been recently constructed and is being used for accelerating the charged particles (electrons and protons) and generating ultrashort high‐energy photon (X‐ray and γ‐ray) sources. In this review, the world‐wide PW‐level femtosecond laser systems are first summarized, the output performances of the PULSER‐I & II are described, and the future upgrade plan of the PULSER to the multi‐PW level is also discussed. Then, several experimental results on particle (electron and proton) acceleration and X‐ray generation in the intensity range of mid‐10¹⁸ W/cm² to mid‐10²⁰ W/cm² are described. Experimental demonstrations for the newly proposed phenomena and the understanding of physical mechanisms in relativistic and ultrarelativistic regimes are highly expected as increasing the laser peak intensity up to over 10²² W/cm² ～10²³ W/cm².     

基于交叉偏振波产生的脉冲净化技术研究与应用

本文利用交叉偏振波产生技术(XPW)对800 nm波段钛宝石飞秒激光器输出的激光脉冲进行时域净化, 提高脉冲时域对比度, 并测量验证了10¹¹对比度的脉冲, 达到测量仪器的动态范围极限, 比初始脉冲时域对比度有三个量级的提高, XPW的效率为22%. 同时发现净化后脉冲光谱宽度也得到一定展宽, 进一步利用啁啾镜对和补偿片对净化后的脉冲进行色散补偿, 得到25 fs脉宽的脉冲. 利用该净化后的激光脉冲作为种子注入已有的太瓦级钛宝石啁啾脉冲放大系统中, 在输出脉冲能量250 mJ, 宽度50 fs, 对应峰值功率5 TW的情况下, 在主脉冲前100 ps以外的范围内测量验证了10¹¹的脉冲对比度.