Showing papers by "Gerard Mourou published in 2008"
TL;DR: To the knowledge, this is the first multi-100TW-scale laser at 0.1 Hz repetition rate and booster amplifying stage to the 50-TW-Ti:sapphire laser (HERCULES).
Abstract: We demonstrate the highest intensity - 300 TW laser by developing booster amplifying stage to the 50-TW-Ti:sapphire laser (HERCULES). To our knowledge this is the first multi-100TW-scale laser at 0.1 Hz repetition rate.
667 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the feasibility of applying time-domain, terahertz spectroscopic imaging to the evaluation of underdrawings and paint layers embedded within wall paintings is demonstrated.
193 citations
TL;DR: The proposed fiber driver provides maximum and independent control on the wavefront, pulse duration, pulse shape, timing, making possible reaching the highest gain, and will be amenable to a cheaper facility with an easy upkeep.
50 citations
TL;DR: Using frequency domain holography, single shot visualization of individual plasma waves, produced by 40TW, 30fs laser pulses focused to the intensity of 1019W∕cm2 onto a supersonic He gas jet with plasma densities ne<1019cm−3.
Abstract: Experiments on electron acceleration and optical diagnostics of laser wakes were performed on the HERCULES facility in a wide range of laser and plasma parameters. Using frequency domain holography we demonstrated single shot visualization of individual plasma waves, produced by 40TW, 30fs laser pulses focused to the intensity of 1019W∕cm2 onto a supersonic He gas jet with plasma densities ne<1019cm−3. These holographic “snapshots” capture the variation in shape of the plasma wave with distance behind the driver, and resolve wave front curvature seen previously only in simulations. High-energy quasimonoenergetic electron beams were generated using plasma density in the range 1.5×1019≤ne≤3.5×1019cm−3. These experiments demonstrated that the energy, charge, divergence, and pointing stability of the beam can be controlled by changing ne, and that higher electron energies and more stable beams are produced for lower densities. An optimized quasimonoenergetic beam of over 300MeV and 10mrad angular divergence i...
39 citations
01 May 2008
TL;DR: In this article, the authors presented a new amplifying laser concept designed to produce high energy in either short or long pulses using coherent or incoherent addition of few millions fibers, called respectively CAN for Coherent Amplification Network and FAN for Fiber Amplification Networks.
Abstract: This paper presents a new amplifying laser concept designed to produce high energy in either short or long pulses using coherent or incoherent addition of few millions fibers. These are called respectively CAN for Coherent Amplification Network and FAN for Fiber Amplification Network. The fibers would be large core or Large Mode Area (LMA) which have demonstrated up to 10, mJ output energy per fiber1. Such a system could meet the driver criteria of Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE) power plants based on Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF), in particular high efficiency and high repetition rate.
16 citations
TL;DR: Theoretical studies and computer simulations predict efficient generation of attosecond electromagnetic pulses from overdense plasma targets, driven by relativistically strong laser pulses as mentioned in this paper, but these predictions need to be validated in time resolved experiments in order to provide a route for applications.
Abstract: Theoretical studies and computer simulations predict efficient generation of attosecond electromagnetic pulses from overdense plasma targets, driven by relativistically strong laser pulses. These predictions need to be validated in time resolved experiments in order to provide a route for applications. The first available femtosecond sources for these experiments are likely to be 10 fs pulses of a few millijoules, which could provide focal intensities at about the relativistic threshold. With particle-in-cell simulations, we demonstrate that the radiation resulting from interaction of such pulses with solid targets is expected to be attosecond trains with very high conversion efficiency as relativistic effects start to act.
13 citations
04 May 2008
TL;DR: Terahertz time-domain reflectometry has been used to investigate hidden layers of mural paintings as mentioned in this paper, and images of graphite underdrawings and dielectric paint patterns have been resolved through plaster.
Abstract: Terahertz time-domain reflectometry has been used to investigate hidden layers of mural paintings. Images of graphite underdrawings and dielectric paint patterns have been resolved through plaster. The reflectivity of several historical paint pigments were compared.
9 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a Nd:glass laser based on a novel design delivers up to 120 J energy pulses with a quasi-flat-top spatial profile at a 0.1 Hz repetition rate.
Abstract: A Nd:glass laser based on a novel design delivers up to 120 J energy pulses with a quasi-flat-top spatial profile at a 0.1 Hz repetition rate. The laser output is frequency-doubled with 50% efficiency and used to pump Ti:sapphire amplifiers. The developed design is perspective for use in the currently contemplated next step in ultra-high-intensity laser development.
9 citations
04 May 2008
TL;DR: The HERCULES-50 TW laser as discussed by the authors was the first Petawatt-scale laser with a 0.1 Hz repetition rate, which is the highest intensity high contrast -300 TW laser.
Abstract: The highest intensity -high contrast -300 TW laser is demonstrated by developing additional amplifying stage to the HERCULES-50 TW laser. To out knowledge this is the first Petawatt-scale laser at 0.1 Hz repetition rate.
7 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a method of slicing high-energy electron beams following their interaction with the wakefield left in a plasma behind a high intensity ultra short laser pulse is proposed, where the transverse component of wakefield focuses a portion of the electron bunch, which experiences betatron oscillations.
5 citations
04 May 2008
TL;DR: Nd:glass laser delivers up to 120 J-energy with flat-top profile at 0.1 Hz and the developed design is perspective for ultra-high-intensity-lasers.
Abstract: Nd:glass laser delivers up to 120 J-energy with flat-top profile at 0.1 Hz. The output is frequency doubled with 50% efficiency and used to pump Ti:sapphire. The developed design is perspective for ultra-high-intensity-lasers.
Proceedings Article•
04 May 2008
TL;DR: In this article, LiB 3 O 5 was used for very high power frequency doubling and the authors demonstrated 115 J second-harmonic generation at 527nm with 85% efficiency in 50mm large crystals.
Abstract: To assess potential of LiB 3 O 5 for very-high power frequency doubling, we demonstrate 115 J second-harmonic generation at 527nm with 85% efficiency in 50mm large crystals.
04 May 2008
TL;DR: In this paper, relativistic electron jets with energies up to 1.4 MeV are observed from the interaction of kHz laser pulses with SiO2 at 2times1018W/cm2.
Abstract: Relativistic electron jets with energies up to 1.4 MeV are observed from the interaction of kHz laser pulses with SiO2 at 2times1018W/cm2. The scaling of electron temperature with intensity is also presented for Al plasma.