Open AccessPicosecond 34 mJ pulses at kHz repetition rates from a Ho:YLF amplifier at 2 µm wavelength
Author(s) -
Lorenz von Grafensteın,
Martin Böck,
Dennıs Ueberschaer,
Uwe Griebner,
Thomas Elsaesser
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.23.033142
Subject(s) - optics , amplifier , materials science , picosecond , booster (rocketry) , laser , wavelength , pulse (music) , regenerative amplification , pulse duration , pulse wave , optical amplifier , optoelectronics , physics , cmos , astronomy , detector
A 2.051-µm laser source delivering picosecond pulses with energies as high as 34 mJ at a 1 kHz repetition rate is reported. The main amplifier system is based on Ho:YLF and consists of a regenerative amplifier (RA) and a single-pass booster amplifier running at room temperature. The continuous-wave pumped, high-gain RA produces pulse trains with up to 10-mJ energy when operating in a stable periodic doubling regime. The recorded complete RA bifurcation diagram agrees well with our numerical simulations. At the highest pulse energy after the booster amplifier the pulse-to-pulse fluctuations are as low as 0.9% rms. Pulse compression is performed up to the 10-mJ level resulting in a duration of 37 ps.