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

PW飞秒激光器是实现高亮度和紧凑型医疗和远程高分辨率成像的辐射和粒子源的关键。PW飞秒激光是实现医疗和远程高分辨率成像的高亮度和紧凑型辐射和粒子源的关键。然而，高能、高重复频率二极管泵浦固体激光器(DPSSL)领域的最新发展允许用DPSSL取代闪光灯，导致重复频率和效率的显著提高。STFC正在开发极端光子应用中心(EPAC)，一种新的激光设备，基于倍频DiPOLE100系统泵浦的10赫兹脉冲钛蓝宝石放大器。拟议的项目将专注于优化DiPOLE100在EPAC中的运行以及激光材料和部件的研究。应聘者将负责自己的研究活动，从基本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口径光束整形来优化DiPOLE100s的倍频。候选人还将研究高能、高平均功率运行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赫兹的选项也将作为该项目的一部分进行调查。

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.