title: Optimization of the power and control of the shape of amplified trains of laser pulses.
abstract: We have performed an optimization study on a train of laser pulses in a Nd:YLF master-oscillator power amplifier chain. Instead of using a flat train of input pulses and proper timing of the input pulses with respect to the pump pulse to keep the output pulse flat, we used a pulse-shaping technique. Then the maximum gain could be used, resulting in a 70% increase in output pulse energy. We constructed a special feed-forward loop to control the temporal shape of the train. We compare the results with a computational model based on the rate equations in the Nd:YLF amplifiers.
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: van Oerle
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bisero
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Ernst
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Verschuur
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Witteman