18 Dec 2009 Fiber laser based chirped pulse amplification system (FLCPA) generates high energy (up to 20 µJ) ultrashort (<0.5 ps) pulses at a repetition rate of 100s of KHz for either 1 or 1.5 µm wavelengths. Fiber laser based chirped pulse amplification system (FLCPA) starts with a 25 MHz passively mode-locked seed fiber laser, sampled down to a pulse rate of 50 kHz or higher. The short pulse is time-stretched by frequency for amplification through a high power fiber amplifier stage at lower peak intensity. Up to 20 µJ of short pulse energy is delivered into free space. The wavelength can be selected in C-band (~1550 nm) or at 1 µm wavelengths. The typical pulse width is 500 fs. Repetition rate can be adjusted up to 1500 kHz, depending on pulse energy, with average output power approaching 4 Watts. An RF synchronization output is provided as a trigger. This FLCPA is lightweight, compact, and maintenance free offering a reliable cost-effective alternative to Ti: Sapphire laser amplifiers. |
