Dispersion Management in 10-PW Laser Front End

Abstract

To improve pulse contrast in chirped pulse amplification petawatt laser systems, the regenerative amplifier is substituted with a multipass amplifier at the Shanghai Superintense Ultrafast Laser Facility (SULF). To reduce the consequent angular dispersion of the broadband spectrum, a double-grating stretcher is established in the SULF front end. A grating compressor is set up for the 10-PW front end to obtain 20-TW output. An accurate adjustment method of grating attitude (angular position) is presented, which references the direction of gravity, improving dispersion management and focusing ability of the beam. After a pulse passes the front end compressor, its duration and phase in the frequency domain are measured, and the duration can be continuously compressed to <24 fs.