Development of a DPSSL pump for a 10 Hz petawatt laser system

佩瓦（PW）飞秒激光器是实现高亮度和紧凑辐射和粒子源的关键，用于医疗治疗和远程高分辨率成像。佩瓦（PW）飞秒激光器是实现高亮度和紧凑辐射和粒子源的关键，用于医疗治疗和远程高分辨率成像。然而，在高能、高重复率二极管泵浦固体激光器（DPSSLs）领域的最新发展允许用DPSSLs代替闪光灯，从而大大提高了重复率和效率。STFC目前正在开发极端光子学应用中心（EPAC），这是一个基于10 Hz PW钛蓝宝石放大器的新型激光设备，该放大器由倍频DiPOLE100系统泵浦。拟议的项目将侧重于优化DiPOLE100在EPAC中的运行，并研究激光材料和组件。候选人将负责自己的研究活动，从基础建模和系统设计到安装和测试。特别是，候选人将有机会通过实施先进的偏振补偿方案和大孔径光束整形来优化dipole100倍频。候选人还将研究高能量，高平均功率操作对材料和组件的影响，以最大限度地提高系统的弹性和可靠性。未来将EPAC升级到100 Hz的选项也将作为该项目的一部分进行研究。

Petawatt (PW) femtosecond lasers are key for the realisation of high-brightness and compact radiation and particle sources for medical therapies and remote high-resolution imaging.Petawatt (PW) femtosecond lasers are key for the realisation of high-brightness and compact radiation and particle sources for medical therapies and remote high-resolution imaging.However, recent developments in the field of high energy, high repetition rate diode-pumped solid state lasers (DPSSLs) allow the replacement of flash lamps with DPSSLs, resulting in a dramatic increase in repetition rate and efficiency.STFC is now developing the Extreme Photonics Application Centre (EPAC), a new laser facility based on a 10 Hz PW titanium-sapphire amplifier pumped by a frequency-doubled DiPOLE100 system.The proposed project will focus on the optimisation of DiPOLE100 for operation in EPAC and on the investigation of laser materials and components. The candidate will be responsible for her own research activities, ranging from fundamental modelling and system design to installation and testing. In particular, the candidate will have the opportunity to work on the optimisation of DiPOLE100s frequency doubling, by implementing advanced polarisation compensation schemes and large-aperture beam shaping. The candidate will also study the impact of high energy, high average power operation on materials and components to maximise system resilience and reliability. Options for future upgrades of EPAC to 100 Hz will also be investigated as part of this project.