Laser source having a peak power of more than 100 terawatts and high contrast

摘要

A laser source capable of emitting energy pulses greater than or equal to 100 TeraWatt, consisting of a laser chain that comprises in cascade: a solid-state laser oscillator; a first amplification stage with frequency chirping; and a last amplification stage with frequency chirping; a first filter with one or two non-linear crystals and third order non-linear optical susceptibility, capable of generating a cross-polarized wave, known as non-linear cross-polarization filter, inserted between these two amplification stages. The laser chain furthermore comprises: between the first and the last amplification stage, at least one other non-linear cross-polarization filter, i.e. N filters in the chain with N≧2; and N−1 dispersion compensator(s), placed at the output of the first filter(s) (respectively).

主权项

1. A laser source configured to emit energy pulses greater than or equal to 100 TeraWatt having a pulse duration below 200 femtoseconds, comprising a laser chain that comprises, in cascade:
a solid-state laser oscillator, a first amplification stage with frequency chirping, and a last amplification stage with frequency chirping, the first and the last amplification stages each including, in cascade, a stretcher, an amplifying chain and a compressor, a first filter configured as a non-linear cross-polarization filter, with one or two non-linear crystals and a third order non-linear optical susceptibility, configured to generate a cross-polarized wave, and wherein said one or two non-linear crystals are placed between two polarizers, wherein the first filter is inserted between the first and the last amplification stage, wherein the laser chain comprises: between the first and the last amplification stage, at least one additional filter also configured as a non-linear cross-polarization filter to obtain a temporal contrast of the pulses greater than or equal to 1012 between an input pulse provided to the laser source and an output pulse at an output of the laser source, such that N filters are in the laser chain with N≧2, and N−1 dispersion compensator(s), each placed respectively at an output of the first filter in the laser chain.