OPCPA front end and contrast optimization for the OMEGA EP kilojoule, picosecond laser. (3rd September 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dorrer, C; Consentino, A; Irwin, D; Qiao, J; Zuegel, J D
• Is Part Of: Journal of optics. Volume 17:Number 9(2015:Sep.)
• Publication Date: 2015-09-03
• Subjects: optical parametric chirped pulse amplification -- temporal contrast -- nonlinear optics; Optics -- Periodicals; 535.05
• DOI: 10.1088/2040-8978/17/9/094007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2040-8978

Abstract

Abstract: OMEGA EP is a large-scale laser system that combines optical parametric amplification and solid-state laser amplification on two beamlines to deliver high-intensity, high-energy optical pulses. The temporal contrast of the output pulse is limited by the front-end parametric fluorescence and other features that are specific to parametric amplification. The impact of the two-crystal parametric preamplifier, pump-intensity noise, and pump-signal timing is experimentally studied. The implementation of a parametric amplifier pumped by a short pump pulse before stretching, further amplification, and recompression to enhance the temporal contrast of the high-energy short pulse is described.