Ultrafast midinfrared laser system for enhanced self-amplified spontaneous emission applications

• Main Authors: R. Tikhoplav, A. Murokh, A. Lentner, I. Jovanovic
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: American Physical Society 2011-07-01
• Series: Physical Review Special Topics. Accelerators and Beams
• Online Access: http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevSTAB.14.070704

Of particular interest to x-ray free-electron laser light source facilities is the enhanced self-amplified spontaneous emission (ESASE) technique. ESASE requires an ultrafast (20–50 fs), high peak power, high repetition rate, reliable laser system working in the midinfrared spectral range (≥2  μm). These requirements can be met by a novel ultrafast midinfrared laser system based on optical parametric chirped-pulse amplification (OPCPA). OPCPA is a technique ideally suited for production of ultrashort laser pulses at the center wavelength of 2  μm. Some of the key features of OPCPA are the wavelength agility, broad spectral bandwidth, and negligible thermal load. The ESASE-compatible laser technology analysis and the preliminary OPCPA simulation results are presented.