title: High-dynamic-range temporal measurements ofshort pulses amplified by OPCPA.
abstract: We report on the first experimental measurement of high-dynamic-range pulse contrast of compressed optical parametric chirped-pulse-amplification (OPCPA) pulses on the picosecond scale. The measured -80-dB OPCPA contrast at 1054 nm agrees well with theoretical predictions and exceeds the estimated and measured levels for comparable amplification in a Ti:sapphire regenerative amplifier by approximately 10 dB. A key to achieving better contrast with OPCPA is the simpler experimental setup that promotes more-efficient coupling of seed pulse energy into the amplification system.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bagnoud
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Zuegel
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Forget
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Le Blanc