Multi-keV, High Harmonic Source at 1MHz, Based on Optical Parametric Chirped Pulse Amplification (OPCPA) at 3.1um

Light sources for X-Ray science have typically been synchrotrons and accosiated Free Electron Lasers (FEL). While these X-Ray light sources are some of the most versitile and powerful tools for a miriad of scientific study in the fields of chemistry, physics, and biology, they tend to be $100M + facilities. This makes it difficult to do science with coherent X-Rays in ones own laboratory. However, new table-top X-Ray light sources based on ultrafast laser driven High Harmonic Generation (HHG), promises to bring a cost effective way of having coherent X-Ray light in just about any lab. While these table-top sources are quite useful, they sometimes lack the power needed for some experiments. Therefore, these sources can also be used to seed X-Ray FELs to give much higher powers in the X-Ray region. Typically, table top sources are limited in pulse repetition rate, and photon energy. To date, photon energies available are up to 500eV, but are resricted to 10Hz repetition frequencies. They are also driven by complex Ti:sapphire lasers, which can become prohibitivly expensive at repetition rates & gt 20kHz. New ultrafast laser HHG drivers capable of reaching photon energies & gt1keV, are available in a laboratory setting. These systems are based on parametric amplification, rather than standard laser technology. This gives them wavelength flexability (necessary to reach keV photon energies through HHG), and the ability to access much higher repetition frequencies, and to be cost effective. In this program we propose to design a 1keV, 1MHz X-Ray source which can be used for X-Ray science experiments on a table top, and also be a good choice as a seed for 4th generation light sources. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits: HHG as light source has already proven to be useful for a variety of applications, such as time-resolved studies of molecular dynamics, time-resolved surface spectroscopy studies of attosecond electron dynamics, holography and microscopic imaging using short-wavelength light, and photoacoustic studies of heat transport in nanostructures (among other examples). Potential other applications in molecular imaging and chemical sensing are under investigation. We intend to commercialize this technology at the end of phase II, to make table-top high repetition rate X-Ray sources available commercially. At the same time making them affordable so that the average researcher will have access to this technology