Final amplifier of an ultra-intense all-OPCPA system with 13-J output signal energy and 41% pump-to-signal conversion efficiency.

Optical parametric chirped-pulse amplification (OPCPA) using high-energy Nd:glass lasers has the potential to produce ultra-intense pulses (>10 W/cm). We report on the performance of the final high-efficiency amplifier in an OPCPA system based on large-aperture (63 × 63-mm) partially deuterated potassium dihydrogen phosphate (DKDP) crystals. The seed beam (180-nm bandwidth, 110 mJ) was provided by the preceding OPCPA stages.

The Dynamic Compression Sector laser: A 100-J UV laser for dynamic compression research.

The Dynamic Compression Sector (DCS) laser is a 100-J ultraviolet Nd:glass system designed and built by the Laboratory for Laser Energetics for experimental research at the DCS located at the Advanced Photon Source (Argonne National Laboratory). Its purpose is to serve as a shock driver to study materials under extreme dynamic pressures. It was designed to deposit energy within a uniformly illuminated 500-μm spot on target, with additional optics provided to implement spot sizes of 250 and 1000 μm.

Simulation of grating compressor misalignment tolerances and mitigation strategies for chirped-pulse-amplification systems of varying bandwidths and beam sizes.

The effects of pulse compressor grating misalignment on pulse duration and focusability are simulated for chirped-pulse-amplification systems of varying bandwidths, beam sizes, groove densities, and incident angles. Tilt-alignment tolerances are specified based on a 2 drop in focused intensity, illustrating how tolerances scale with bandwidth and compressor beam size, which scales with energy when transformed via known grating damage thresholds. Grating-alignment tolerance scaling with grating groove density and incident/diffracted angles is investigated and applied to compressor design.

Littrow angle method to remove alignment errors in grating pulse compressors.

An alignment method for pulse-compression gratings that obviates the need to place the gratings at normal incidence to remove grating-tip error is proposed. Grating-tip and groove-orientation errors are removed using two alignment wavelengths in a manner analogous to a laser-beam pointing and centering procedure entirely at the respective Littrow angles for the two wavelengths. By choosing wavelengths with Littrow angles close to the use angle of the grating, the residual tip and groove-orientation errors that may be introduced when the grating mount is tilted to its use angle are reduced.

Demonstration of the dual-tripler scheme for increased-bandwidth third-harmonic generation.

The dual-tripler scheme for enhancing the bandwidth of third-harmonic generation proposed by Eimerl et al. [Opt. Lett.