Difference‐Frequency Generation of 0.2‐mJ 3‐Cycle 9‐µm Pulses from Two 1‐kHz Multicycle OPCPAs
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: Intense long‐wave infrared (LWIR) femtosecond pulses within the 8−14 µm atmospheric window present an array of applications, such as in strong‐field physics, ultrafast nonlinear spectroscopy, and self‐guided atmospheric propagation. However, the realization of an LWIR source capable of delivering millijoule‐class energy, few‐cycle duration, and kHz repetition rate concurrently remains challenging. Here, such an LWIR source via the combination of different nonlinear parametric processes is reported, driven by a 1 kHz Yb:YAG thin‐disk laser. The system comprises two parallel multi‐cycle optical parametric chirped‐pulse amplifiers (OPCPAs) operating at 2.3 and 3.1 µm, respectively, alongside a stage of ZnGeP2‐crystal‐based difference‐frequency generation (DFG). The resulting 9 µm DFG pulses have a record energy of 0.21 mJ, a 3‐cycle duration, a 1 kHz repetition rate, and long‐term energy stability. The simultaneous output of three synchronized intense lasers at short‐wave infrared (2.3 µm), mid‐wave infrared (3.1 µm), and LWIR (9 µm) renders the source particularly appealing for multicolor ultrafast applications.
Source: Laser & Photonics Review
Authors: Xingbin Gu, Yufang Ding, Zhixuan Hu, Peng Yuan, Dongfang Zhang, Jing Wang, Guoqiang Xie, Jingui Ma, Liejia Qian
Institution: Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Language: English
Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
Funders: Cyrus Tang Foundation, National Natural Science Foundation of China, Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality, Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, National Key Research and Development Program of China, Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities
OpenAlex ID: W4402991676