Abstract

The development of ultrashort lasers based on chirped-pulse amplification (CPA) made it possible to realize ultrahigh intensity laser systems which reach focused intensities of about 10²⁰ W/cm². The most crucial part of every CPA laser system is the grating compressor. Its efficiency should be as high as possible. Moreover system performance is often limited by the damage threshold of the compressor gratings. In order to maximize efficiency and to minimize damage it is desirable that these reflection gratings are made entirely of dielectric materials.^1,2

© 2002 Optical Society of America