High Power Phase-Stabilized Few-Cycle Mid-IR Laser
Abstract
Attosecond science and technology, newly-born in the past fifteen years, has rapidly grown into one of the most-exciting forefronts in modern physics. At present, attosecond laser technology has reached a point where isolated ultrashort extreme ultraviolet (20 to 130 eV) pulses with pulse length of 67 as are produced. The dominating driving lasers for achieving these performances are the near infrared Ti:Sapphire lasers centered at 800 nm. In 2001, it was demonstrated by Zenghu Chang’s group that the cutoff photon energy of high harmonics can be dramatically extended by using long-wavelength driving lasers. Mid-infrared laser driving is one of the most promising approaches to extend the spectral coverage. A novel mid-infrared driving laser with 2.5 µm center wavelength is proposed, which will enable attosecond source in the soft x-ray regime up to 600 eV. This allows the resolution in time of processes in condensed matter containing many important chemical elements, such as carbon and oxygen.The DURIP funds will be used to purchase four high energy (25 mJ), high repetition rate (1 kHz), Q-switched Ho:YLF lasers at 2090 nm center wavelength, as well as a high cooling power (180 W) cryogenic cooling unit, and a broadband (2 to 20 µm) infrared spectrometer. These are key components of a high power mid-infrared Cr:ZnSe Chirped Pulse Amplification laser system to be developed for generating 15 fs (sub-two-cycle), carrier-envelope phased stabilized, 5 mJ pulses at 2.5 µm with a 1 kHz repetition rate. The proposed mid-infrared lasers will be the work horse of the new attosecond sources that cover the whole “water window.” The unique attosecond x-ray sources will provide a platform for conducting collaborative cutting-edge attosecond research in strongly-correlated materials such as high temperature superconductors and spintronic materials, as well as other materials important for Department of Defense applications.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Apr 09, 2018
- Source ID
- FA95501710499
Entities
People
- Zenghu Chang
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- United States Air Force
- University of Central Florida