High-Energy Laser for Detection, Inspection, and Non-Destructive Testing
Abstract
The central feature of the project was the development of a high-energy (30 J) high-power (petawatt) laser amplifier, which is seeded by an existing 100-terawatt, 30-fs laser system. This 2-pass, 10-cm aperture, Ti:Sapphire amplifier pumped by four high-energy (total of 100-J energy), high-repetition-rate (0.1 Hz), frequency-doubled Nd-Glass pump lasers, and a new, larger grating-based optical compressor, were installed in the Extreme Light Laboratory and successfully tested. The amplifier gain was measured, and shown to match the predictions of calculations based on an analytical model, which predict 1-PW peak power at maximum pumping. Transverse lasing was measured, and shown to be eliminated by the use of index-matching fluid surrounding the Ti:Sapphire crystal. The bandwidth of the amplifer was measured, and shown to be capable of supporting pulse compression to 25-fs duration. An optical protection system for the laser was also designed, installed, and successfully integrated?to prevent catastrophic damage to the amplifier by accidental bandwidth collapse.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 21, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA547042
Entities
People
- Donald Umstadter
- Sudeep Banerjee
Organizations
- University of Nebraska–Lincoln