Abstract

Short-pulse, high-peak-power lasers are important tools for high-intensity laser- matter interaction experiments. Solid-state table-top terawatt lasers utilize the concept of chirped pulse amplification^1,2 to generate near-field intensities of up to two orders of magnitude higher (after compression) than in conventional fusion lasers. Solid target interaction experiments with intensities above 10¹⁸ W/cm² require a very high intensity contrast (~10¹⁰:1) to ensure that the laser pulse is interacting with the solid rather than with a pre-formed plasma. Second harmonic generation (SHG) in nonlinear crystals is important because it extends the available wavelength range and significantly improves the contrast ratio.

© 1994 Optical Society of America