A concept for multiterawatt fibre lasers based on coherent pulse stacking in passive cavities

• DOI: 10.1038/lsa.2014.92
• Publication Date: 2014-10-10T11:38:58Z
• Authors: Sven Breitkopf; Tino Eidam; Arno Klenke; Lorenz von Grafen...; Henning Carstens; Simon Holzberger; Ernst Fill; Thomas Schreiber; Ferenc Krausz; Andreas Tünnermann; Ioachim Pupeza; Jens Limpert
• Keywords: Q-switching

Since the advent of femtosecond lasers, performance improvements have constantly impacted on existing applications and enabled novel applications. However, one feature bearing potential a quantum leap for high-field is still not available: simultaneous emission extremely high peak average powers. Emerging such as laser particle acceleration require exactly this regime and, therefore, challenge technology at large. On hand, canonical bulk systems can provide pulse powers in multi-terawatt to petawatt range, while other advanced solid-state-laser concepts thin disk, slab or fibre are well known their efficiency ability emit kilowatt range with excellent beam quality. In contribution, compact system capable simultaneously providing wall-plug proposed analysed. The concept based temporal coherent combination (pulse stacking) train emitted from high-repetition-rate passive enhancement cavity. Thus, energy increased cost repetition rate almost preserving power. relies fast switching element dumping enhanced out switch constitutes key our proposal. Addressing could, first time, allow highly efficient joule-class pulses megawatt power levels lead unprecedented parameters. Coherent stacking may fibre-laser be used laser-based accelerators, report scientists Germany. Such accelerators lasers that exceedingly powers—a tall order indeed. Now, Sven Breitkopf co-workers propose it could achieved by employing Following stacking, dumps high-peak Although process increases expense lower rate, retains Ultimately, scheme Joule-class terawatt