Abstract

Laser-matter interaction experiments at extremely high intensities are building blocks for the development of advanced technologies such as particle acceleration, intense X-ray generation and inertial confinement fusion (ICF). These ultra-high intensity experiments require the development of kJ-class laser systems operating at multi-Hz repetition rate with high wall-plug efficiency, which is only possible using diode pumped solid state laser (DPSSL) technology. These lasers will either be used directly for generating plasmas, e.g. in the context of inertial fusion energy (IFE) production, or for pumping short-pulse amplifiers such as OPCPA or Ti:Sapphire systems. Two large scale European research projects are underway to develop and exploit such high-energy, high-repetition rate laser sources. They are ELI [1], dedicated to ultra-short pulse laser research and applications, and HiPER [2], focussed on IFE research. In this paper, we describe a multi-slab architecture for a diode pumped kJ-class amplifier and present numerical simulation results predicting optimum operating parameters and sensitivity studies related to tolerances in Yb:YAG doping levels. A brief overview of a lower energy multi-J class prototype system under development at the Central Laser Facility (CLF) is also presented.

© 2011 Optical Society of America