7 μm, ultrafast, sub-millijoule-level mid-infrared optical parametric chirped pulse amplifier pumped at 2 μm

• DOI: 10.1364/optica.3.000147
• Publication Date: 2016-02-03T18:49:19Z
• Authors: D. Sanchez; M. Hemmer; M. Baudisch; S. L. Cousin; K. Zawilski; P. Schunemann; O. Chalus; C. Simon-Boisson; J. Biegert
• Keywords: Optical parametric amplifier; Chirped pulse amplification

We present a novel all-fiber pumped optical parametric chirped pulse amplifier (OPCPA) architecture to generate self-carrier-to-envelope-phase stable, sub-eight-optical-cycle duration pulses at 7 μm wavelength approaching millijoule-level energy 100 Hz repetition rate. The system yields peak power of 1.1 GW and, if focused the diffraction limit, would reach intensity 7×1014 W/cm2. OPCPA is by 2 Ho:YLF leverage highly efficient and broadband response nonlinear crystal ZGP. seed MHz generated via difference frequency generation from an Er:Tm:Ho multi-arm fiber comb, fraction its output optically injects amplifier. While bandwidth perfectly suited for spectroscopic applications, current parameters offer, first time, best our knowledge, possibility explore strong-field physics in entirely new range with ponderomotive force 77 times larger than 800 nm source. overall very compact provides tool investigations directly molecular fingerprint region electro-magnetic spectrum or drive high harmonic produce fully coherent x-rays multi-kiloelectron-volt possibly zeptosecond temporal waveforms.