Abstract

We have built and tested a multipass Nd:glass amplifier (three and four passes) with a total gain of 240,000 and an output capability of several joules at pulse widths of t_p ≤ 1 ns. The test results show that this amplifier produces output intensity profiles with intensity ripples ≤10% and approaching a fiat-top profile. The output phase-front distortions are less than 0.2 wave rms. This amplifier was built as the input for a targe laser-fusion facility, but its characteristics and flexibility make it eminently well suited for a small laboratory setup with significant energy capability and compatibility with chirped-pulse amplification for ultra-short- pulse generation.

© 1993 Optical Society of America