New principles of amplification of ultrashort pulses of coherent light by non-equilibrium free-carrier plasma in semiconductor crystals
Abstract
Many breakthrough developments in modern physics and groundbreaking applications could be pushed by availability of devices researchers are dreaming about over the last decade. Examples include table-top accelerators delivering charged particles with controlled energy and unique lasers delivering few-cycle femtosecond pulses with unbeatable ultra-broad spectrum and wavelength tunable from ultraviolet to far-infrared. Development of those and many other unique instruments is currently blocked by several fundamental challenges, for example, by absence of a laser material capable of amplifying few-cycle laser pulses with large spectral bandwidth at high efficiency a mid-infrared wavelengths. To attack those challenges, the recipient proposes a novel concept based on properties of oscillating quasi-non-collision free-carrier plasma generated by high-power femtosecond laser pulses in semiconductor crystals. Recent publications signal that type of plasmas is generated by the laser pulses at mid-infrared wavelengths. The oscillating free-carrier plasmas confined in a crystal are expected to be very similar to non-collision gas plasmas. The latter have unique properties, for example, the capability of coherent amplifying low-power radiation by stimulated inverse back-scattering (the Marcuse effect). The objective is to theoretically study major properties of the quasi-non-collision free-carrier plasmas with special emphasis on the Marcuse effect since it promises unblocking groundbreaking developments in generation of ultra-broad-band, broadly-tunable few-cycle laser pulse. Proposed technical approach includes derivation of kinetic equations for the plasma; derivation of analytical relations between amplification gain and parameters of semiconductors and pumping pulses; and simulations of the plasma dynamics and light amplification by the Marcuse effect. Anticipated outcomes include scaling of amplification gain with microscopic parameters of semiconductors and parameters of pumping mid-infrared laser pulse (central wavelength, peak irradiance or fluence, pulse duration). That scaling paves a road to proof-of concept experiments by suggesting a window of pumping-laser and material parameters, and experimental conditions for reliable detection of the expected effects.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jun 25, 2021
- Source ID
- HQ00342010028
Entities
People
- Vitaly Gruzdev
Organizations
- Office of the Secretary of Defense
- University of New Mexico
- Washington Headquarters Services