Mid IR Ultrafast Laser System for High Field Physics

The investigation of ultrafast X-ray and high harmonics generation is important for basic science. In the future, this technology is likely to impact applications such as diagnostic medicine, providing vastly improved X-ray images. This project will develop a novel, mid-infrared, 100-fs pulse, high-power laser source suitable for ultrafast X-ray generation and other applications in high field physics. The laser source will be based on an efficient, Tm:fiber laser-pumped Cr:ZnSe oscillator. The system will serve as a seed laser for a Chirped Pulse Amplification (CPA) system, based on an approach successfully used in ultrafast Ti:Sapphire laser systems.Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: The new laser system would serve as a new tool for fundamental high-field-physics studies. The laser system also could serve as a laser driver for a variety of applications, such as environmental analysis, remote-sensing, spectroscopy, and medicine.