Nearly diffraction-limited laser focal spot obtained by use of an optically addressed light valve in an adaptive-optics loop.

Beam-focus shaping by use of programmable phase-only filters: application to an ultralong focal line.

We have developed a high-resolution programmable adaptive-optic device based on an optically addressed liquid-crystal electro-optic valve controlled by an achromatic three-wave lateral shearing interferometer. We apply this phase-only filter and loop to shape the far-field pattern of laser beams. As a first application, we theoretically compute and experimentally verify the focus along a line l...

Repetitive petawatt-class laser with near-diffraction-limited focal spot and transform-limited pulse duration

A repetitive petawatt-class Ti:sapphire laser system operating with high spatial and temporal beam quality is demonstrated. Maximum pulse energy of 30 J is obtained via five multi-pass amplification stages. Closed-loop feedback control systems in the temporal and spatial domains are used to yield Fourier-transform-limited pulse duration (33.7 fs), and diffraction-limited focal spot sizes (with ...

Adaptive optics for direct laser writing with plasma emission aberration sensing.

Aberrations affect the focal spot quality in direct laser write applications when focusing through a refractive index mismatch. Closed loop adaptive optics can correct these aberrations if a suitable feedback signal can be found. Focusing an ultrafast laser beam into transparent dielectric material can lead to plasma formation in the focal region. We report using the supercontinuum emitted by s...

Adaptive Optics for High-Peak-Power Lasers – An Optical Adaptive Closed-Loop Used for High-Energy Short-Pulse Laser Facilities: Laser Wave-Front Correction and Focal-Spot Shaping

Optimization of the dynamic wavefront control of a pulsed kilojoule/nanosecond-petawatt laser facility.

The wavefront aberrations in a large-scale, flash-lamp-pumped, high-energy, high-power glass laser system can degrade considerably the quality of the final focal spot, and limit severely the repetition rate. The various aberrations induced on the Laboratoire pour l'Utilisation des Lasers Intenses (LULI), laser facility (LULI2000) throughout the amplification are identified and analyzed in detai...