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Gerard Mourou

Bio: Gerard Mourou is an academic researcher from École Polytechnique. The author has contributed to research in topics: Laser & Ultrashort pulse. The author has an hindex of 82, co-authored 653 publications receiving 34147 citations. Previous affiliations of Gerard Mourou include University of Michigan & San Diego State University.


Papers
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TL;DR: Alexandrite pumping of Cr3+:LiSrAlF6 (Cr:LiSAF) is investigated by studying the most probable limiting parameters, including gain, optical damage, and heat load capacity.
Abstract: Alexandrite pumping of Cr3+:LiSrAlF6 (Cr:LiSAF) is investigated by studying the most probable limiting parameters, including gain, optical damage, and heat load capacity. An alexandrite-pumped, 200-mJ, Q-switched Cr:LiSAF oscillator–amplifier has been demonstrated.

14 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, simulations of chirped-pulse amplification (CPA) in a quasi-three-level laser are presented which illustrate how depletion of the inversion can occur at ten times below the saturation fluence in a regenerative amplifier.
Abstract: Simulations of chirped-pulse amplification (CPA) in a quasi-three-level laser are presented which illustrate how depletion of the inversion can occur at ten times below the saturation fluence in a regenerative amplifier. The simulations are applied to Yb:glass, a promising laser medium for a directly diode-pumped high-peak power laser. Virtually stretching a pulse to a portion of the buildup time of a regenerative amplifier allows for efficient energy extraction from a laser medium that has a saturation fluence greater than the damage threshold. Experimental results from a Yb:glass regenerative amplifier produced 12-mJ pulses at a peak fluence of 9 J/cm/sup 2/ without damage.

14 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors demonstrate the possibility to apply terrahertz time domain imaging (TDI) for the investigation of clay artifacts and obtain tomographic images of a model in reflection, and an Egyptian vessel in transmission.
Abstract: Terahertz Time Domain Imaging has been used in the last few years for the investigation of cultural heritage. In this article, the authors demonstrate the possibility to apply it for the investigation of clay artifacts. Tomographic images were obtained of a model in reflection, and an Egyptian vessel in transmission. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.

14 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the linear properties of polyethylene terephthalate, such as index of refraction, spectral transmittance and transverse distribution of phase and polarization distortions, have been measured.
Abstract: The linear characteristics of polyethylene terephthalate, such as index of refraction, spectral transmittance and transverse distribution of phase and polarization distortions, have been measured. Spectrum broadening of laser pulses (intensity over 1.3 ТW cm−2) after propagation through a 0.7 mm thick sample has been demonstrated in experiment. Taking into consideration almost unlimited aperture, submillimeter thickness and the low cost of polyethylene terephthalate, the obtained results demonstrate that it is a prospective material to be used for spectrum broadening and subsequent time compression of petawatt laser pulses to single cycle regime (Mourou et al 2014 Single cycle thin film compressor opening the door to zeptosecond-exawatt physics Eur. Phys. J. Spec. Top. 223 1181–8).

14 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a comparative analysis of the electron emission characteristics as the electrons move in laser fields with ultrarelativistic intensity and different configurations corresponding to a plane or tightly focused wave is performed.
Abstract: A comparative analysis is performed of the electron emission characteristics as the electrons move in laser fields with ultra-relativistic intensity and different configurations corresponding to a plane or tightly focused wave. For a plane travelling wave, analytical expressions are derived for the emission characteristics, and it is shown that the angular distribution of the radiation intensity changes qualitatively even when the wave intensity is much less than that in the case of the radiation-dominated regime. An important conclusion is drawn that the electrons in a travelling wave tend to synchronised motion under the radiation reaction force. The characteristic features of the motion of electrons are found in a converging dipole wave, associated with the curvature of the phase front and nonuniformity of the field distribution. The values of the maximum achievable longitudinal momenta of electrons accelerated to the centre, as well as their distribution function are determined. The existence of quasi-periodic trajectories near the focal region of the dipole wave is shown, and the characteristics of the emission of both accelerated and oscillating electrons are analysed.

13 citations


Cited by
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08 Dec 2001-BMJ
TL;DR: There is, I think, something ethereal about i —the square root of minus one, which seems an odd beast at that time—an intruder hovering on the edge of reality.
Abstract: There is, I think, something ethereal about i —the square root of minus one. I remember first hearing about it at school. It seemed an odd beast at that time—an intruder hovering on the edge of reality. Usually familiarity dulls this sense of the bizarre, but in the case of i it was the reverse: over the years the sense of its surreal nature intensified. It seemed that it was impossible to write mathematics that described the real world in …

33,785 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
01 Apr 1988-Nature
TL;DR: In this paper, a sedimentological core and petrographic characterisation of samples from eleven boreholes from the Lower Carboniferous of Bowland Basin (Northwest England) is presented.
Abstract: Deposits of clastic carbonate-dominated (calciclastic) sedimentary slope systems in the rock record have been identified mostly as linearly-consistent carbonate apron deposits, even though most ancient clastic carbonate slope deposits fit the submarine fan systems better. Calciclastic submarine fans are consequently rarely described and are poorly understood. Subsequently, very little is known especially in mud-dominated calciclastic submarine fan systems. Presented in this study are a sedimentological core and petrographic characterisation of samples from eleven boreholes from the Lower Carboniferous of Bowland Basin (Northwest England) that reveals a >250 m thick calciturbidite complex deposited in a calciclastic submarine fan setting. Seven facies are recognised from core and thin section characterisation and are grouped into three carbonate turbidite sequences. They include: 1) Calciturbidites, comprising mostly of highto low-density, wavy-laminated bioclast-rich facies; 2) low-density densite mudstones which are characterised by planar laminated and unlaminated muddominated facies; and 3) Calcidebrites which are muddy or hyper-concentrated debrisflow deposits occurring as poorly-sorted, chaotic, mud-supported floatstones. These

9,929 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
11 Oct 2012-Nature
TL;DR: This work reviews recent progress in graphene research and in the development of production methods, and critically analyse the feasibility of various graphene applications.
Abstract: Recent years have witnessed many breakthroughs in research on graphene (the first two-dimensional atomic crystal) as well as a significant advance in the mass production of this material. This one-atom-thick fabric of carbon uniquely combines extreme mechanical strength, exceptionally high electronic and thermal conductivities, impermeability to gases, as well as many other supreme properties, all of which make it highly attractive for numerous applications. Here we review recent progress in graphene research and in the development of production methods, and critically analyse the feasibility of various graphene applications.

7,987 citations

01 Dec 1982
TL;DR: In this article, it was shown that any black hole will create and emit particles such as neutrinos or photons at just the rate that one would expect if the black hole was a body with a temperature of (κ/2π) (ħ/2k) ≈ 10−6 (M/M)K where κ is the surface gravity of the body.
Abstract: QUANTUM gravitational effects are usually ignored in calculations of the formation and evolution of black holes. The justification for this is that the radius of curvature of space-time outside the event horizon is very large compared to the Planck length (Għ/c3)1/2 ≈ 10−33 cm, the length scale on which quantum fluctuations of the metric are expected to be of order unity. This means that the energy density of particles created by the gravitational field is small compared to the space-time curvature. Even though quantum effects may be small locally, they may still, however, add up to produce a significant effect over the lifetime of the Universe ≈ 1017 s which is very long compared to the Planck time ≈ 10−43 s. The purpose of this letter is to show that this indeed may be the case: it seems that any black hole will create and emit particles such as neutrinos or photons at just the rate that one would expect if the black hole was a body with a temperature of (κ/2π) (ħ/2k) ≈ 10−6 (M/M)K where κ is the surface gravity of the black hole1. As a black hole emits this thermal radiation one would expect it to lose mass. This in turn would increase the surface gravity and so increase the rate of emission. The black hole would therefore have a finite life of the order of 1071 (M/M)−3 s. For a black hole of solar mass this is much longer than the age of the Universe. There might, however, be much smaller black holes which were formed by fluctuations in the early Universe2. Any such black hole of mass less than 1015 g would have evaporated by now. Near the end of its life the rate of emission would be very high and about 1030 erg would be released in the last 0.1 s. This is a fairly small explosion by astronomical standards but it is equivalent to about 1 million 1 Mton hydrogen bombs. It is often said that nothing can escape from a black hole. But in 1974, Stephen Hawking realized that, owing to quantum effects, black holes should emit particles with a thermal distribution of energies — as if the black hole had a temperature inversely proportional to its mass. In addition to putting black-hole thermodynamics on a firmer footing, this discovery led Hawking to postulate 'black hole explosions', as primordial black holes end their lives in an accelerating release of energy.

2,947 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Terahertz spectroscopy and imaging provide a powerful tool for the characterization of a broad range of materials, including semiconductors and biomolecules, as well as novel, higher-power terahertz sources.
Abstract: Terahertz spectroscopy systems use far-infrared radiation to extract molecular spectral information in an otherwise inaccessible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. Materials research is an essential component of modern terahertz systems: novel, higher-power terahertz sources rely heavily on new materials such as quantum cascade structures. At the same time, terahertz spectroscopy and imaging provide a powerful tool for the characterization of a broad range of materials, including semiconductors and biomolecules.

2,673 citations