Compact, ultrastable, high repetition-rate 2 μm and 3 μm fiber laser for seeding mid-IR OPCPA.

We report a compact and reliable ultrafast fiber laser system optimized for seeding a high energy, 2 μm pumped, 3 μm wavelength optical parametric chirped pulse amplification to drive soft X-ray high harmonics. The system delivers 100 MHz narrowband 2 μm pulses with >1 nJ energy, synchronized with ultra-broadband optical pulses with a ∼1 μm FWHM spectrum centered at 3 μm with 39 pJ pulse energy. The 2 μm and 3 μm pulses are derived from a single 1.

Enhanced charge density wave coherence in a light-quenched, high-temperature superconductor.

Superconductivity and charge density waves (CDWs) are competitive, yet coexisting, orders in cuprate superconductors. To understand their microscopic interdependence, a probe capable of discerning their interaction on its natural length and time scale is necessary. We use ultrafast resonant soft x-ray scattering to track the transient evolution of CDW correlations in YBaCuO after the quench of superconductivity by an infrared laser pulse.

Beam propagation simulation of phased laser arrays with atmospheric perturbations.

Directed energy phased array (DEPA) systems have been proposed for applications such as beaming optical power for electrical use on remote sensors, rovers, spacecraft, and future moon bases, as well as for planetary defense against asteroids and photonic propulsion up to relativistic speeds. All such scenarios involve transmission through atmosphere and beam perturbations due to turbulence that must be quantified. Numerical beam propagation and feedback control simulations were performed using an algorithm optimized for efficient calculation of real-time beam dynamics in a Kolmogorov atmosphere.