title: Generation of multiterawatt vortex laser beams.
abstract: We report the fabrication of large-area phase masks on thin fused-silica substrates that are suitable for shaping multiterawatt femtosecond laser beams. We apply these phase masks for the generation of intense femtosecond optical vortices. We further quantify distortions of the vortex beam patterns that result from several common types of mask defects.
authors.forename: Craig
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ament
authors.forename: Lee
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schmitt-Sody
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lucero
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Milster
authors.forename: Pavel
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Polynkin