Trends in ultrashort and ultrahigh power laser pulses based on optical parametric chirped pulse amplification

Since the proof-of-principle demonstration of optical parametric amplification to efficiently amplify chirped laser pulses in 1992,optical parametric chirped pulse amplification(OPCPA)became the most promising method for the amplification of broadband optical pulses.In the meantime,we are witnessing an exciting progress in the development of powerful and ultrashort pulse laser systems that employ chirped pulse parametric amplifiers.The output power and pulse duration of these systems have ranged from a few gigawatts to hundreds of terawatts with a potential of tens of petawatts power level.Meanwhile,the output pulse duration based on optical parametric amplification has entered the range of fewoptical-cycle field.In this paper,we overview the basic principles,trends in development,and current state of the ultrashort and laser systems based on OPCPA,respectively.     

用于大口径钛宝石放大器的四路钕玻璃抽运源

研制了一套能量输出稳定、光斑分布均匀、时域近方波形的四路钕玻璃抽运源系统。系统能够输出4×180J的基频能量(波长为1053nm),4×80J的倍频能量(波长为526.5nm)。主要结构包括四部分:前端种子源、再生放大器、钕玻璃棒放链和KDP倍频晶体。利用偏振片实现了垂直偏振的两路基频光合束,经过第二类相位匹配KDP晶体倍频,获得了共线且同偏振的526.5nm倍频光,实现了用于150mm口径钛宝石放大器的结构紧凑的双脉冲抽运源。     

Optical property measurements of 235 mm large-scale Ti:sapphire crystal

A Ti:sapphire crystal with a diameter of 235 mm and thickness of 72 mm was grown by the heat exchange method(HEM). The absorption intensity of the crystal at 532 nm averaged at 91%. The figures of merit(FOMs)at different positions of the crystal were measured and the FOM value in the central region was found to reach 90.The transmittance laser beam was intact with no obvious distortions and had only a small deformation compared with the incident laser beam. A small-signal amplification experiment was performed on the Ti:sapphire crystal and a gain of more than 6 times was achieved with a pump energy density of 1.98 J∕cm~2. These tests indicate that the 235 mm Ti:sapphire crystal has excellent optical qualities and will further improve the energy output of a 10 PW laser system.     

10 PW级激光系统波前演变及分析

基于上海超强超短激光装置(SULF),选取各分系统关键节点进行波前测量,分析波前畸变的起源、演变及原因,并讨论了光学器件安装应力与钛宝石晶体质量对波前的影响。结果表明,激光波前畸变值随着大口径光学器件数量的增多而增大,光学镜片的面形加工误差、安装调试误差是影响钛宝石激光放大器中波前畸变的重要因素,对激光的聚焦性能有较大影响。对激光系统波前的测量有利于优化与控制整个系统的波前畸变,从而有助于提升光束质量和聚焦功率密度。