Prepulse suppression in a multi-10-TW diode-pumped Yb:glass laser

作者：Keppler S^*; Boedefeld R; Hornung M; Saevert A; Hein J; Kaluza M C

来源：Applied Physics B: Lasers and Optics , 2011, 104(1): 11-16.

DOI：10.1007/s00340-011-4633-x

We describe a novel method to improve the temporal intensity contrast (TIC) between the main pulse and prepulses in a high-power chirped-pulse amplification (CPA) laser system. Pre- and post-pulses originating from the limited extinction ratio of the polarization gating equipment are suppressed by carefully adjusting the round-trip times of the regenerative amplifiers (RAs) with respect to the oscillator. As a result, leaking pulses from earlier or later round-trips in the RAs are hidden below the temporal shape of the main pulse. The synchronization can easily be controlled by a contrast measurement on a picosecond time scale using a third-order cross-correlator that enables a sub-mm precise adjustment of the cavity lengths. Finally, a method based on spectral interference is introduced that can be used for a fine-adjustment of the cavity lengths for the daily operation, making this new method easy to implement into existing laser systems.

• 出版日期2011-7