Open AccessHigh-dynamic-range temporal measurements ofshort pulses amplified by OPCPA
Author(s) -
V. Bagnoud,
J. D. Zuegel,
Nicolas Forget,
C. Le Blanc
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.15.005504
Subject(s) - regenerative amplification , chirped pulse amplification , optics , materials science , optical parametric amplifier , picosecond , amplifier , optical amplifier , dynamic range , sapphire , ultrashort pulse , amplified spontaneous emission , femtosecond pulse shaping , femtosecond , pulse (music) , laser , optoelectronics , physics , cmos , detector
We report on the first experimental measurement of high-dynamic-range pulse contrast of compressed optical parametric chirped-pulse-amplification (OPCPA) pulses on the picosecond scale. The measured -80-dB OPCPA contrast at 1054 nm agrees well with theoretical predictions and exceeds the estimated and measured levels for comparable amplification in a Ti:sapphire regenerative amplifier by approximately 10 dB. A key to achieving better contrast with OPCPA is the simpler experimental setup that promotes more-efficient coupling of seed pulse energy into the amplification system.