Using a Gaussian-to-flattop beam reshaper and a frequency-doubling crystal, we demonstrate highly efficient and spatially uniform pulse compression of 1mJ, ~100fs pulses from a regenerative Ti:sapphire amplifier. The technique has general applicability to all-bulk self-defocusing-type cascaded-quadratic compressors, providing a way to increase peak power and intensity for a wide range of amplified femtosecond pulsed lasers.
Efficient high-energy femtosecond pulse compression in quadratic media with flattop beams. Publishing Authors By Initials