Greifswald 2024 – scientific programme

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P: Fachverband Plasmaphysik

P 4: Astrophysical Plasmas/Laser Plasmas

P 4.5: Talk

Monday, February 26, 2024, 15:15–15:30, WW 1: HS

Chirped plasma density gratings for compression of high-intensity laser pulses — •Götz Lehmann and Karl-Heinz Spatschek — Heinrich-Heine-Universität, Düsseldorf

Modern high-power chirped-pulse (CPA) laser systems are limited in several ways by optical damage thresholds and detrimental nonlinearities. Amplification, compression, and polarization control of intense laser beams is often ultimately limited by the ionization threshold of solid state materials. Hence, plasma-based optical elements, often referred to as damageless optics, are attractive alternatives.

We study the formation and optical properties of plasma density gratings which may act as reflective and transmissive optics for high-power pulses. The plasma gratings themselves are driven via laser pulses to ma- nipulate pulses of higher intensity. Our interest lies in chirped plasma gratings that then can be used for compression of chirped pulses similar to conventional compression gratings in modern high-power CPA systems. We demonstrate via simulations the formation of chirped gratings, discuss their compression capabilities, and outline parameter regimes for applications.

Keywords: Laser-plasma interaction; Plasma density gratings; Plasma optics