Bandwidth expansion and pulse shape optimized for 10 PW laser design via spectral shaping

Abstract

We demonstrated a scheme of bandwidth expansion and pulse shape optimized to afford 10 PW laser design via spectral shaping, which uses the existing Nd:glass amplifier chain of the SG PW laser. Compared to the amplified pulse with a gain-narrowing effect, the required parameters of injected pulse energy, spectral bandwidth, and shape are analyzed, together with their influence on the system B-integral, energy output capability, and temporal intensity contrast. A bandwidth expansion to 7 nm by using LiNbO3 birefringent spectral shaping resulted in an output energy of 2 kJ in a proof-of-principle experiment. The results are consistent with the theoretical prediction which suggests that the amplifier chain of SG PW laser is capable of achieving 6 kJ at the bandwidth of 7 nm and the B-integral < π. This will support a 10 PW laser with a compressed pulse energy of 4.8 kJ (efficiency = 80%) at 480 fs.