The phase-controlled parametric amplifier TeraWatt laser system

Experiments can be berformed with an ultrafast laser system based on non-collinear parametric amplification (NOPCPA) of pulses from a frequency comb laser. This combination provides unique possibilities for generating ultrashort pulses (down to 7.6 fs have been achieved), with up to 3 TW peak intensity, and with control over the carrier-envelope phase of the pulses. The system runs currently at 30 Hz repetition rate, and is combined with a high-harmonic generation setup to perform experiments in the extreme ultraviolet. Full control over the electromagnetic wave is possible because the setup also contains a phase-shaper for the full bandwidth of the system (~720 nm to 1040 nm). Diagnostics of the pulses is available in the form of e.g. a SPIDER setup, an autocorrelator, and carrier-envelope phase measurement.

Since one year the system has been extended with the possibility to generate high-power pulse-pairs (~2.5 mJ/pulse after compression in TEM00, currently with 6.6 ns time separation), with an extremely accurate phase relationship between them on the 10 mrad level. The bandwidth is reduced (<100 nm) and adjustable. In combination with the high harmonic generation, phase-coherent pulse-pairs can be generated in the extreme ultraviolet for pump-probe experiments, or for high-resolution Ramsey-type spectroscopy. Currently an experiment in helium is performed at 51 nm using 200 fs pulses, but it is expected that the system can generate coherent pulse pairs over a range of 10-1000 nm.

In the picture below you see a snapshot of the NOPCPA system on the right.

                                 

Contact Person at LCVU: Kjeld Eikema, email: kjeld@nat.vu.nl