Dispersion compensation in chirped pulse amplification systems
View Patent ↗A chirped pulse amplification system includes a laser source providing an input laser pulse along an optical path. The input laser pulse is characterized by a first temporal duration. The system also includes a multi-pass pulse stretcher disposed along the optical path. The multi-pass pulse stretcher includes a first set of mirrors operable to receive input light in a first plane and output light in a second plane parallel to the first plane and a first diffraction grating. The pulse stretcher also includes a second set of mirrors operable to receive light diffracted from the first diffraction grating and a second diffraction grating. The pulse stretcher further includes a reflective element operable to reflect light diffracted from the second diffraction grating. The system further includes an amplifier, a pulse compressor, and a passive dispersion compensator disposed along the optical path.
1. A chirped pulse amplification system comprising:
a laser source providing an input laser pulse along an optical path, the input laser pulse being characterized by a first temporal duration;
a multi-pass pulse stretcher disposed along the optical path, wherein the multi-pass pulse stretcher comprises:
a first set of mirrors operable to receive input light in a first plane and output light in a second plane parallel to the first plane;
a first diffraction grating operable to receive light from one or more of the first set of mirrors;
a second set of mirrors operable to receive light diffracted from the first diffraction grating;
a second diffraction grating operable to receive light from the second set of mirrors; and
a reflective element operable to reflect light diffracted from the second diffraction grating;
an amplifier disposed along the optical path;
a pulse compressor disposed along the optical path; and
a passive dispersion compensator disposed along the optical path.
2. The chirped pulse amplification system of claim 1 wherein the passive dispersion compensator is disposed between the second diffraction grating and the reflective element.
3. The chirped pulse amplification system of claim 1 wherein the dispersion compensator comprises a glass element having a predetermined phase profile characterized by a plurality of peaks and valleys.
4. The chirped pulse amplification system of claim 3 wherein the predetermined phase profile is associated with a predetermined surface profile of the glass element.
5. The chirped pulse amplification system of claim 4 wherein a peak-to-peak separation between portions of the predetermined surface profile is less than 3 mm.
6. The chirped pulse amplification system of claim 5 wherein the peak-to-peak separation is less than 1 mm.
7. The chirped pulse amplification system of claim 4 wherein an amplitude of the predetermined surface profile is between about 0.1 μm and 10 μm.
8. The chirped pulse amplification system of claim 7 wherein the amplitude of the predetermined surface profile is between about 0.5 and 2.0 μm.
9. The chirped pulse amplification system of claim 1 wherein the second set of mirrors comprise two cylindrical concave mirrors and a cylindrical convex mirror.
10. The chirped pulse amplification system of claim 1 wherein the reflective element comprises a roof mirror.
11. The chirped pulse amplification system of claim 1 wherein the pulse compressor comprises a second passive dispersion compensator.