Abstract

For the last two decades, Ti:Sa-based kHz-repetition-rate systems have been the workhorse in laser experiments employing high-energy few-cycle pulses. The excellent phase stability of the benchmark-defining Ti:Sa oscillators [1] has enabled numerous pump-probe experiments exploring sub-optical-cycle dynamics. However, many few-cycle-pulse experiments require a combination of high pulse energies with a repetition rate of several tens of MHz. Recent advances in multi-MHz-repetition-rate Yb-based master-oscillator-power-amplifier (MOPA) technology [2] and in pulse compression using spectral broadening in fibers and/or in bulk materials in conjunction with chirped mirrors [3], provide access to a power regime superior to that feasible with Ti:Sa systems. However, obtaining highly phase-stable pulses with these systems is still a challenge.

© 2015 IEEE