Optical parametric chirped-pulse amplification (OPCPA) [Dubietis et al. , Opt. Commun. 88 437 (1992)] implemented by multikilojoule Nd:glass pump lasers is a promising approach to produce ultraintense pulses ( ${>}10^{23}~\text{W}/\text{cm}^{2}$ ). Technologies are being developed upgrade the OMEGA EP Laser System with goal an optical amplifier line (EP OPAL) two of beamlines. The resulting (1.5 kJ, 20 fs, $10^{24}~\text{W}/\text{cm}^{2}$ ) would be used jointly picosecond and nanosecond...

Abstract Optical parametric chirped-pulse amplification implemented using multikilojoule Nd:glass pump lasers is a promising approach for producing ultra-intense pulses (>10 23 W/cm 2 ). We report on the MTW-OPAL Laser System, an optical amplifier line (OPAL) pumped by Nd:doped portion of multi-terawatt (MTW) laser. This midscale prototype was designed to produce 0.5-PW with technologies scalable tens petawatts. Technology choices made were guided longer-term goal two full-scale OPALs...

We study and demonstrate the nonlinear frequency conversion of broadband optical pulses from 1053 nm to 351 using sum-frequency generation with a narrowband pulse at 526.5 nm. The combination angular dispersion noncollinearity cancels out wave-vector mismatch its derivative, yielding an order-of-magnitude increase in spectral acceptance compared conventional tripling. This scheme can support spectrally incoherent nanosecond generated by high-energy lasers parametric amplifiers mitigate...

Laser-plasma instabilities (LPIs) hinder the interaction of high-energy laser pulses with targets. Simulations show that broadband spectrally incoherent can mitigate these instabilities. Optimizing operation and target requires controlling properties optical pulses. We demonstrate closed-loop control spectral density pulse shape nanosecond after parametric amplification in infrared (∼1053 nm) sum-frequency generation to ultraviolet (∼351 using temporal modulation fiber front end. The high...

A beam-shaping system, based on a liquid-crystal-on-silicon spatial light modulator, has been deployed two of the long-pulse UV beamlines OMEGA EP laser. Simultaneous control both amplitude and phase with single modulator is possible by encoding intensity information high-frequency carrier phase, which subsequently removed low-pass filter. The system integrated into operations existing front-end laser source demonstrated improved beam uniformity at multiple points in operates closed loop to...

The development of laser performance models having real-time prediction capability for the OMEGA EP system has been essential in meeting requests from its user community increasingly complex pulse shapes that span a wide range energies. operations model PSOPS provides rapid and accurate predictions laser-system both forward backward directions, user-friendly interface optimization between shots. We describe model’s features show how allowed configuration order to satisfy demands rapidly...

The laser-damage performance characteristics of potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP) samples under exposure to a distinctive broadband incoherent laser pulse are investigated. A system providing such pulses is intended explore improved energy-coupling efficiency on the target in direct-drive inertial confinement fusion experiments and provides bandwidths as large 10 THz nanosecond pulse. consequence this bandwidth very rapid fluctuations intensity capable reaching maxima much larger than...

Spectrally incoherent laser pulses with sufficiently large fractional bandwidth are in demand for the mitigation of laser-plasma instabilities occurring high-energy laser-target interactions. Here, we modeled, implemented, and optimized a dual-stage optical parametric amplifier broadband, spectrally near-infrared. The delivers close to 400 mJ signal energy through noncollinear interaction 100-nJ-scale seed near 1053 nm narrowband pump operating at 526.5 nm. Mitigation strategies...

High-performance optical pulse shaping is paramount to photonics and laser applications for which high-precision waveforms must be generated. We investigate the design performance of a time-multiplexed pulse-shaping (TMPS) system in from single unit are demultiplexed retimed before being sent different systems. This architecture has advantages low cost relative jitter between because system, e.g., high-performance arbitrary waveform generator driving Mach-Zehnder modulator, generates all...

We present a theoretical and experimental analysis of the signal phase introduced by pump-beam wavefront spatial profile during optical parametric amplification (OPA) process. The theory predicts appearance an additional in amplified beam that is proportional to derivative wavefront. effect on signal-beam also investigated. Our experiments tested these predictions comparing before after multi-joule broadband OPA. measured was shown have expected dependence These results can be considered...

Optical parametric chirped-pulse amplification (OPCPA) using high-energy Nd:glass lasers has the potential to produce ultra-intense pulses (>10²³ W/cm²). We report on performance of final high-efficiency amplifier in an OPCPA system, based large-aperture (63 x 63-mm²) partially deuterated potassium dihydrogen phosphate (DKDP) crystals. The seed beam (170 nm, 100 mJ) was provided by preceding stages. maximum pump-to-signal conversion efficiency 33% achieved...

Our research focuses on designing metallic coatings to create broadband all-reflective phase retarders that generate circularly polarized (CP) light for the MTW-OPAL Laser System while ensuring desired polarization state target. This retarder can function as a when used in an out-of-plane configuration, whereas it acts normal mirror set in-plane configuration. If of beam is not purely s- or p-polarized, however, mirrors will general introduce retardance, and therefore compensators...

Optical parametric chirped-pulse amplification (OPCPA) using high-energy Nd:glass lasers has the potential to produce ultra-intense pulses (>1023 W/cm2). We report on performance of final high-efficiency amplifier in an OPCPA system based large-aperture (63 × 63-mm2) partially deuterated potassium dihydrogen phosphate (DKDP) crystals. The seed beam (180-nm bandwidth, 110 mJ) was provided by preceding stages. A maximum pump-to-signal conversion efficiency 41% and signal energy up 13 J were...

Ultra-intense laser systems are being developed by a number of institutions to use the full potential deuterated potassium dihydrogen phosphate (DKDP) for high-energy optical parametric chirped-pulse amplification (OPCPA) [1] – [3] . Noncollinear amplifiers (NOPA's) made large DKDP crystals produce broadband gain supporting pulses as short 10 fs. Although OPCPA is now routinely used front-end technology, scaling >100 J still an active area research. This paper reports on MTW-OPAL Laser...

The mitigation of transverse stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) via phase modulation is mandatory to avoid damage in high-energy laser systems. A novel fail-safe system that indirectly monitors the optical bandwidth applied suppress SBS by monitoring input, reflected, and through rf power SBS-suppression lithium-niobate modulator demonstrated. has high sensitivity reliability provided optimized redundant circuits for decision logic. Calibration fail-safe’s thresholds straightforward....

Multispectral wavefront sensing techniques are employed for single-shot spatiotemporal characterization. Phase diversity and lateral shearing used with a multispectral camera to characterize radial group delay, compressor grating misalignment, optical parametric chirped- pulse-amplification performance.

A unique dual-beam laser-damage test station has been constructed for testing materials with broadband incoherent radiation. Utilizing a novel optical parametric amplifier-based light source capable of delivering an bandwidth up to 10 THz, bulk damage in KDP characterized number different conditions help understand the role that resulting intensity fluctuations play. The results largely suggest mechanisms do not rely heavily on nonlinear processes and are supported by established models...

Optical parametric chirped-pulse amplification (OPCPA) implemented using multikilojoule Nd:glass pump lasers is a promising approach to produce ultra-intense pulses (>10^23 W/cm^2) [1]. Systems deuterated potassium dihydrogen phosphate (DKDP) for high-energy amplifiers are being developed by number of institutions [2–4]. Noncollinear optical (NOPA's) made DKDP broadband gain supporting as short 10 fs centered near 920 nm. Large-aperture crystals (>400 mm) make it possible use kilojoule...

We study via modeling and experiments the broadband sum-frequency generation of spectrally incoherent pulses from 1053 to 351 nm demonstrate temporally shaped ultraviolet pulses.

We demonstrate and optimize a high-energy laser amplifier for broadband, spectrally incoherent pulses based on optical parametric amplification, reaching pulse energies close to 400 mJ in the near infrared.

Broadband frequency conversion of nanosecond spectrally incoherent pulses from 1053 nm to 351 is demonstrated in a novel sum-frequency-generation noncollinear angularly dispersed scheme, yielding with bandwidth greater than 10 THz.

Activation results will be presented for MTW-OPAL, a new all-OPCPA laser using technologies suitable kilojoule-femtosecond systems, highlighting 140-nm-wide amplification in DKDP to >10 J with 30% efficiency and subsequent recompression 20 fs.

The wavefront introduced by optical parametric phase is investigated in a DKDP amplifier varying pump-beam amplitude and profiles, demonstrating their impact on the of amplified output signal beam.