title: High-power, subpicosecond 10-microm pulse generation.
abstract: Two-picosecond, 10-microm pulses, generated by optical semiconductor switching, have been regeneratively amplified in a multiatmosphere TE CO(2) gain module. Pulses have been produced with a peal circulating energy of ~15 mJ and a power density in the gain medium in excess of 10(12) W/cm(2). A plasma-breakdown wave, traveling with the regeneratively amplified pulse, combined with anomalous dispersion in the NaCl windows, has permitted compression of these pulses to less than 1 psec in duration.
authors.forename: P B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Corkum