Design, tuning, and blackbox optimization of laser systems.

Chirped pulse amplification (CPA) and subsequent nonlinear optical (NLO) systems constitute the backbone of myriad advancements in semiconductor manufacturing, communications, biology, defense, and beyond. Accurately and efficiently modeling CPA+NLO-based laser systems is challenging because of the complex coupled processes and diverse simulation frameworks. Our modular start-to-end model unlocks the potential for exciting new optimization and inverse design approaches reliant on data-driven machine learning methods, providing a means to create tailored CPA+NLO systems unattainable with current models.

Long-term hybrid stabilization of the carrier-envelope phase.

Controlling the carrier envelope phase (CEP) in mode-locked lasers over practically long timescales is crucial for real-world applications in ultrafast optics and precision metrology. We present a hybrid solution that combines a feed-forward technique to stabilize the phase offset in fast timescales and a feedback technique that addresses slowly varying sources of interference and locking bandwidth limitations associated with gain media with long upper-state lifetimes. We experimentally realize the hybrid stabilization system in an Er:Yb:glass mode-locked laser and demonstrate 75 hours of stabilization with integrated phase noise of 14 mrad (1 Hz to 3 MHz), corresponding to around 11 as of carrier to envelope jitter.