Experimental method of transfer function linewidth determination for laser amplifiers using FM-to-AM conversion.

We propose an experimental method for the determination of the transfer function linewidth of a laser amplifier. This technique is based on a transfer function scan using frequency modulation to amplitude modulation (FM-to-AM) temporal modulation measurement as a function of wavelength. Using this method, we show that the output spectrum of a laser amplifier in Q-switch mode is not representative of the transfer function of the amplifier.

Impact of the Kerr effect on FM-to-AM conversion in high-power lasers.

In order to smooth the focal spot of high-power energetic lasers, pulses are phase-modulated. However, due to propagation impairments, phase modulation is partly converted into power modulation. This is called frequency modulation to amplitude modulation (FM-to-AM conversion).

Picosecond pulses of variable duration from a high-power passively mode-locked Nd:YVO(4) laser free of spatial hole burning.

We report on a high-power passively mode-locked TEM(00)Nd:YVO(4) oscillator, 888 nm diode-pumped, with pulse durations adjustable between 46 ps and 12 ps. The duration tunability was obtained by varying the output coupler (OC) transmission while avoiding resorting to spatial hole burning (SHB) for pulse shortening. At a repetition rate of 91 MHz and for an output power ranging from 15 Wto45 W, we produced SHB-free 12-ps-to32-ps-long pulses.

Piston measurement by quadriwave lateral shearing interferometry.

We present what is to our knowledge a new method for measuring the relative piston between two independent beams separated by a physical gap, typical of petawatt facilities. The feasibility of this measurement, based on quadriwave lateral shearing interferometry, has been demonstrated experimentally: piston has been measured with accuracy and sensitivity better than 50 nm.