A simple method for pulse contrast enhancement via self-focusing

Zaharit Refaeli*, Gilad Marcus, Yariv Shamir

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Here we report on a simple-to-implement and cost-effective approach for laser pulse contrast enhancement, based on the nonlinear self-focusing effect. An intentionally induced and gently controlled self-focusing in a thin glass transforms the time-dependent intensity into variation in beam divergence. Followed by a spatial discriminating filter, only the strongly focused fraction traverses the setup, at the expense of efficiency. A numerical model, accounting for the pulse and material parameters via a Gaussian ABCD matrix, provides an estimate for the instantaneous beam waist and transmission efficiency, which enables us to evaluate the resulting contrast enhancement. The estimated contrast enhancement spans between 0.5 and 2.5 orders of magnitude, in conjunction with approximately 25%-90% estimated efficiency, depending on the pulse parameters. In a preliminary experiment we demonstrated the effect with 10s-J sub GW regime with approximately 40 efficiency and a contrast improvement of more than or equal to 20 dB.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere18
JournalHigh Power Laser Science and Engineering
Volume12
DOIs
StatePublished - 29 Dec 2024

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 The Author(s). Published by Cambridge University Press in association with Chinese Laser Press.

Keywords

  • nonlinear optics
  • pulse contrast
  • self-focusing
  • ultrafast laser

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A simple method for pulse contrast enhancement via self-focusing'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this