Optimization of few-cycle pulse generation: Spatial size, mode quality and focal volume effects in filamentation based pulse compression

Adam Roberts, Niranjan Shivaram, Lei Xu, Arvinder Sandhu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

We demonstrate the key role played by the spatial characteristics and focusing conditions of a femtosecond multi-cycle laser pulse in optimization of filament output for the purpose of obtaining compressed light pulses in the few-cycle regime. We find that for a given beam profile and focal parameters, driving the filament with energy above a certain limiting value can negatively impact pulse compression. However, for a given energy, a smaller and cleaner input beam mode obtained by using a hard aperture can substantially improve the pulse compression ability. In addition, we show that a larger focal volume can assist in creation of a shorter output pulse.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)23894-23902
Number of pages9
JournalOptics Express
Volume17
Issue number26
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 21 2009
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics

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