Generation of multiterawatt vortex laser beams

Abstract

We report the fabrication of large-area phase masks on thin fused-silica substrates that are suitable for shaping multi-terawatt femtosecond laser beams. We apply these phase masks for the generation of intense femtosecond optical vortices. We further quantify distortions of the vortex beam patterns that result from several common types of mask defects.

Phase singularities and optical vortices in photonics

“…We note that the unique structure of SPPs allows implementing a femtosecond OV beam generator with a power up to 4.6 TW [269], as well as a variety of unique microscale devices: an OV beam generator based on an SPP integrated into an optical fiber [240], on-chip components capable of wavelength-selective generation of OV beams (socalled vortex microelectromechanical systems, MEMS filters) [233,236], OV beam generators for optical communication integrated in the output aperture plane of a surface-emitting vertical-cavity laser [239,270], and optically driven microrotors for applications of microfluidics and `lab-on-a-chip' devices [271]. SPPs are also used as an intracavity optical element for direct generation of OV beams with a mode purity exceeding 99.9% [272,273].…”

61 channels coherent beam combining femtosecond digital laser

“…2018 Nobel prize in physics granted to A.Ashkin for optical tweezer [16], and shared with D.Strickland & G.Mourou for above mentioned CPA), quantum optics [17], imaging [18] (like in astronomy [19] or fluids flow characterization [20]), optical communications [21]/cryptography [22]. One shall also consider applications requiring much higher power regime like microbunching instability reduction in free-electron laser setups [23] or propagation of ultraintense laser beams [24] (for channeling lightning strikes or detection of atmospheric pollutant [25][26]).…”