Abstract
A multipass amplifier configuration is described which has potential as a large aperture, high gain driver stage for fusion laser systems. We avoid the present limitations of large aperture switches by using an off-angle geometry that does not require an optical switch. The saturated gain characteristics of this multipass amplifier are optimized numerically. Three potential problems are investigated experimentally, self-lasing, output beam quality, and amplified spontaneous emission output. The results indicate comparable cost for comparable performance to a linear chain, with some operational advantage for the multipass driver stage.
© 1981 Optical Society of America
Full Article | PDF ArticleMore Like This
Bruno M. Van Wonterghem, John R. Murray, Jack H. Campbell, D. Ralph Speck, Charles E. Barker, Ian C. Smith, Donald F. Browning, and William C. Behrendt
Appl. Opt. 36(21) 4932-4953 (1997)
J. A. Abate, L. Lund, D. Brown, S. Jacobs, S. Refermat, J. Kelly, M. Gavin, J. Waldbillig, and O. Lewis
Appl. Opt. 20(2) 351-361 (1981)
E. W. Roschger and J. E. Balmer
Appl. Opt. 24(18) 3110-3112 (1985)