Morrill, D. | Search NASA

DOE OSTI2024

Compact, ultrastable, high repetition-rate 2 μm and 3 μm fiber laser for seeding mid-IR OPCPA

We report a compact and reliable ultrafast fiber laser system optimized for seeding a high energy, 2 μ m pumped, 3 μ m wavelength optical parametric chirped pulse amplification to drive soft X-ray high harmonics. The system delivers 100 MHz narrowband 2 μ m pulses with >1 nJ energy, synchronized with ultra-broadband optical pulses with a ∼1 μ m FWHM spectrum centered at 3 μ m with 39 pJ pulse energy. The 2 μ m and 3 μ m pulses are derived from a single 1.5 μ m fiber oscillator, fully fiber integrated with free-space downconversion for the 3 μ m. The system operates hands-off with power instabilities <0.2% over extended periods of time.

Optics↗

DOE OSTI2022

Nonlinear post-compression in multi-pass cells in the mid-IR region using bulk materials

We numerically investigate the regime of nonlinear pulse compression at mid-IR wavelengths in a multi-pass cell (MPC) containing a dielectric plate. This post-compression setup allows for ionization-free spectral broadening and self-compression while mitigating self-focusing effects. We find that self-compression occurs for a wide range of MPC and pulse parameters and derive scaling rules that enable its optimization. We also reveal the solitonic dynamics of the pulse propagation in the MPC and its limitations and show that spatiotemporal/spectral couplings can be mitigated for appropriately chosen parameters. In addition, we reveal the formation of spectral features akin to quasi-phase matched degenerate four-wave mixing. Finally, we present two case studies of self-compression at 3-μm and 6-μm wavelengths using pulse parameters compatible with driving high-field physics experiments. The simulations presented in this paper set a framework for future experimental work using few-cycle pulses at mid-IR wavelengths.

Carlson, D. (ORCID:0000000346836463)↗