Laser-induced damage threshold measurements were performed on homogeneous and multilayer dielectrics and gold-coated optics at 1053 and 526 nm for pulse durations τ ranging from 140 fs to 1 ns. Gold coatings were found, both experimentally and theoretically, to be limited to 0.6 J/cm2 in the subpicosecond range for 1053-nm pulses. In dielectrics, we find qualitative differences in the morphology of damage and a departure from the diffusion-dominated τ1/2 scaling that indicate that damage results from plasma formation and ablation for τ ≤ 10 ps and from conventional heating and melting for τ > 50 ps. A theoretical model based on electron production by multiphoton ionization, joule heating, and collisional (avalanche) ionization is in quantitative agreement with both the pulse-width and the wavelength scaling of experimental results.

Optical ablation by high-power short-pulse lasers

In this article, we review progress in the development of high peak-power ultrafast lasers, and discuss in detail the design issues which determine the performance of these systems. Presently, lasers capable of generating terawatt peak powers with unprecedented short pulse duration can now be built on a single optical table in a small-scale laboratory, while large-scale lasers can generate peak power of over a petawatt. This progress is made possible by the use of the chirped-pulse amplification technique, combined with the use of broad-bandwidth laser materials such as Ti:sapphire, and the development of techniques for generating and propagating very short (10–30 fs) duration light pulses. We also briefly summarize some of the new scientific advances made possible by this technology, such as the generation of coherent femtosecond x-ray pulses, and the generation of MeV-energy electron beams and high-energy ions.

/pdf/high-power-ultrafast-lasers-20ipbk9mdb.pdf

High power ultrafast lasers

We have developed a hybrid Ti:sapphire–Nd:glass laser system that produces more than 1500??TW (1.5??PW) of peak power. The system produces 660??J of power in a compressed 440±20 fs pulse by use of 94-cm master diffraction gratings. Focusing to an irradiance of >7×1020 W/cm2 is achieved by use of a Cassegrainian focusing system employing a plasma mirror.

Petawatt laser pulses.

Diffraction gratings were discovered during the 18th century, and they are now widely used in spectrometry analysis, with outstanding achievements spanning from the probing of single molecules in biological samples to the analysis of solar systems in astronomy. The fabrication of high-quality diffraction gratings requires precise control of the period at a nanometer scale. The discovery of lasers in the 1960s gave birth to optical beam lithography in the 1970s. This technology revolutionized the fabrication of diffraction gratings by offering highly precise control of the grating period over very large scales. It is surprising to see that a few years after, the unique spectral properties of diffraction gratings revolutionized, in turn, the field of high-energy lasers. We review in this paper the physics of diffraction gratings and detail the interest in them for pulse compression of high-power laser systems.

/pdf/diffraction-gratings-from-principles-to-applications-in-high-8eupgng34m.pdf

Diffraction gratings: from principles to applications in high-intensity lasers

Nature developed numerous solutions to solve various technical problems related to material surfaces by combining the physico-chemical properties of a material with periodically aligned micro/nanostructures in a sophisticated manner. The utilization of ultra-short pulsed lasers allows mimicking numerous of these features by generating laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS). In this review paper, we describe the physical background of LIPSS generation as well as the physical principles of surface related phenomena like wettability, reflectivity, and friction. Then we introduce several biological examples including e.g., lotus leafs, springtails, dessert beetles, moth eyes, butterfly wings, weevils, sharks, pangolins, and snakes to illustrate how nature solves technical problems, and we give a comprehensive overview of recent achievements related to the utilization of LIPSS to generate superhydrophobic, anti-reflective, colored, and drag resistant surfaces. Finally, we conclude with some future developments and perspectives related to forthcoming applications of LIPSS-based surfaces.

/pdf/bio-inspired-functional-surfaces-based-on-laser-induced-3n6imm4ncp.pdf

Bio-Inspired Functional Surfaces Based on Laser-Induced Periodic Surface Structures

The design and fabrication of large-area, high-efficiency metallic gratings for use in high-power laser systems is described. The gratings exhibit a diffraction efficiency in excess of 95% in the m = −1 order (Littrow mount) and have a high threshold for laser damage. Computations and experimental measurements are presented that illustrate the effect of grating shape and polarization on efficiency. A simple theory for optical damage to metallic diffraction gratings is developed and compared with experimental measurements of the laser-damage threshold over the pulse range from 400 fs to >1 ns.

High-efficiency metallic diffraction gratings for laser applications

High-efficiency multilayer dielectric diffraction gratings: erratum.

The design and performance of a new type of high-efficiency diffraction grating for use in either transmission or reflection are described. The gratings are produced in a multilayer dielectric coating deposited upon optically flat substrates. By proper design of the multilayer stack and grating structure, a diffraction efficiency in excess of 96% for polarized light in the m = -1 order in reflection has been achieved.

High-efficiency multilayer dielectric diffraction gratings.

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High-efficiency metallic diffraction gratings for laser applications

High-efficiency multilayer dielectric diffraction gratings: erratum.

High-efficiency multilayer dielectric diffraction gratings.