Abstract

To provide high-energy, high-power beams at short wavelengths for inertial-confinement fusion experiments, we routinely convert the 1.05-μm output of the Nova, Nd:phosphate-glass, laser system to its second- or third-harmonic wavelength. We describe the design and performance of the 3 × 3 arrays of potassium dihydrogen phosphate crystal plates used for type-II–type-II phase-matched harmonic conversion of the Nova 0.74-m diameter beams. We also describe an alternate type-I–type-II phase-matching configuration that improves third-harmonic conversion efficiency. These arrays provide conversion of a Nova beam of up to 75% to the second harmonic and of up to 70% to the third harmonic.

© 1992 Optical Society of America

Power, energy, and temporal performance of the Nova laser facility with recent improvements to the amplifier system

C. Bibeau, D. R. Speck, R. B. Ehrlich, C. W. Laumann, D. T. Kyrazis, M. A. Henesian, J. K. Lawson, M. D. Perry, P. J. Wegner, and T. L. Weiland
Appl. Opt. 31(27) 5799-5809 (1992)

Large aperture harmonic conversion experiments at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

G. J. Linford, B. C. Johnson, J. S. Hildum, W. E. Martin, K. Snyder, R. D. Boyd, W. L. Smith, C. L. Vercimak, D. Eimerl, and J. T. Hunt
Appl. Opt. 21(20) 3633-3643 (1982)

Temporal shaping of third-harmonic pulses on the Nova laser system

J. K. Lawson, D. R. Speck, C. Bibeau, S. C. Burkhart, M. A. Henesian, C. W. Laumann, T. L. Weiland, and R. B. Wilcox
Appl. Opt. 31(24) 5061-5068 (1992)

Performance of a prototype for a large-aperture multipass Nd:glass laser for inertial confinement fusion

Bruno M. Van Wonterghem, John R. Murray, Jack H. Campbell, D. Ralph Speck, Charles E. Barker, Ian C. Smith, Donald F. Browning, and William C. Behrendt
Appl. Opt. 36(21) 4932-4953 (1997)

Second-harmonic generation in zinc tris(thiourea) sulfate

H. O. Marcy, L. F. Warren, M. S. Webb, C. A. Ebbers, S. P. Velsko, G. C. Kennedy, and G. C. Catella
Appl. Opt. 31(24) 5051-5060 (1992)