Optimization of few-cycle pulse generation: spatial size, mode quality and focal volume effects in filamentation based pulse compression.
We demonstrate the key role played by the spatial characteristics and focusing conditions of a femtosecond multi-cycle laser pulse in optimization of filament output for the purpose of obtaining compressed light pulses in the few-cycle regime. We find that for a given beam profile and focal parameters, driving the filament with energy above a certain limiting value can negatively impact pulse compression. However, for a given energy, a smaller and cleaner input beam mode obtained by using a hard aperture can substantially improve the pulse compression ability. In addition, we show that a larger focal volume can assist in creation of a shorter output pulse.
Roberts
Adam
A
Department of Physics and College of Optical Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA.
Shivaram
Niranjan
N
Xu
Lei
L
Sandhu
Arvinder
A
D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D007834:Lasers; D008029:Lighting / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*