Multi-Terrawatt Laser for Electron Beam Accelerator Applications

40349 November 18, 1996 Positive Light The Department of Energy has identified a need for a compact, solid-state laser system to be incorporated in electron beam accelerators. This project will develop such a system which will allow for single wavelength, ultrashort pulse operation (10J/pulse, 400fs pulsewidth, ~1 ¿m wavelength) and dual wavelength, high pulse energy operation (60J/pulse, 4ps pulsewidth, 1.05 ¿m and 1.06 ¿m wavelengths). Phase I will address issues which are not only unique to a system of this magnitude but also to a system that can be used as an accelerator. These issues include: 1) temporal synchronization of the optical pulse with the electron beam, 2) spectral intensity and phase control techniques for efficient long pulse (4ps) and ultra-short pulse (400fs) chirped pulse amplification, and 3) novel laser architecture to develop the dual wavelength system and provide efficient integration of the single wavelength and dual wavelength systems into a single low cost, flexible laser system. Anticipated Results/Potential Commercial Applications as described by the awardee: The demand for this technology is well established and its development should open a new segment of the ultrafast laser market. With the availability of such laser systems, high energy accelerators for a wide variety of new medical, scientific and industrial applications should be accessible to researchers in a compact space and for a relatively small cost.