Ultrafast Optical Parametric Chirped-Pulse Amplification

TLDR

OPCPA has emerged as a powerful tool for generating ultrashort, high‑peak‑intensity pulses and is increasingly viewed as a compelling alternative to Ti:Sapphire lasers in the near‑infrared range. The paper discusses the physics and practical design considerations for developing high‑intensity, phase‑stable few‑cycle OPCPA systems. The authors review OPCPA physics, practical design considerations for high‑intensity, phase‑stable few‑cycle systems, and summarize experimental achievements to date. OPCPA has enabled the generation of phase‑controlled few‑cycle pulses across a wide spectral range.

Abstract

In recent years, optical parametric chirped-pulse amplification (OPCPA) has emerged as a powerful tool for the generation of ultrashort pulses with extreme peak intensity. It has enabled the generation of phase-controlled few-cycle pulses in widely different parts of the spectrum. For the near-infrared spectral range, OPCPA is becoming an interesting alternative to conventional Ti:Sapphire-based laser technology for various applications. In this paper, we discuss the physics behind OPCPA, as well as the practical design considerations for the development of high-intensity, phase-stable few-cycle OPCPA systems. Also, we review the experimental achievements in ultrafast OPCPA systems to date.