Method and laser source for generation of optically synchronized dual-wavelength ultrashort light pulses

摘要

This invention relates to the laser field, particularly to laser methods and sources for generation of two optically synchronized ultrashort light pulses differing in central wavelengths and spectral widths. A method comprises generation of initial laser radiation which has a central wavelength λ0 and a spectral width Δλ0. Further, the initial radiation is pre-amplified and spectrally broadened up to a spectral width Δλ. Finally, two output pulses are formed from the spectrally broadened radiation by extracting a first and a second portions of a spectrum with central wavelengths λ1, λ2 and widths Δλ1, Δλ2, respectively. In order to implement a compact and reliable laser source based mainly on fiber-optical components, values of the central wavelengths λ0, λ1, λ2 and the spectral widths Δλ0, Δλ, Δλ1, Δλ2, are predetermined as proposed by this invention. The laser source is suitable as a primary source for OPA and OPCPA systems. The laser may comprise a master generator (4) and a pump pulse amplifier (5) which is a chirped pulse amplifier. The master generator emits two synchronized ultrashort pulses (6,7). The one pulse (6) is characterized by a wavelength corresponding to the peak wavelength of an Yb-doped active medium. The other pulse (7) is characterized by a wavelength corresponding to the peak wavelength of a Nd-doped active medium.The master generator may comprise a mode-locked fiber oscillator (8) and ^Yb-doped fiber amplifiers (9) and a nonlinear spectral broadening element (10) and a spectral filtering element (11). The pump pulse amplifier may comprise a pulse stretcher (13), an amplifier (14) and a pulse compressor (15). The two amplified and synchronized pulses may be used for an OPCPA.