Formation and amplification of 50-ps pulses in a THL-100 hybrid laser system

Abstract

Results of investigations of a THL-100 visible hybrid laser system consisting of a Ti : sapphire front end and a photodissociation XeF(C – A) amplifier are reported. The front end generates linearly chirped second harmonic pulses with a duration of 50 ps, an energy up to 5 mJ, and a high beam quality. Saturation of the XeF(C – A) amplifier at an input energy exceeding 2 mJ is demonstrated, and the output energy of 3.2 J is obtained, which makes it possible to achieve a peak power of about 50 TW in a 50-fs pulse.