High-contrast optical-parametric amplifier as a front end of high-power laser systems.
A high-contrast preamplifier based on optical-parametric amplification with a short pump pulse is demonstrated. A gain larger than 10(5) and measurement-limited contrast higher than 10(11) are obtained over a large temporal range extending within less than 10 ps of the peak of the pulse, because of the high instantaneous parametric gain provided by a short pump pulse in a nonlinear crystal. The energy gain and high contrast of this preamplifier make it a good seed source for high-power laser systems.
Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, 250 East River Road, Rochester, New York 14623, USA. cdorrer@lle.rochester.edu
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Dorrer
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Begishev
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Okishev
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Zuegel