Abstract
Short-pulse, high-peak-power lasers are important tools for high-intensity laser- matter interaction experiments. Solid-state table-top terawatt lasers utilize the concept of chirped pulse amplification1,2 to generate near-field intensities of up to two orders of magnitude higher (after compression) than in conventional fusion lasers. Solid target interaction experiments with intensities above 1018 W/cm2 require a very high intensity contrast (~1010:1) to ensure that the laser pulse is interacting with the solid rather than with a pre-formed plasma. Second harmonic generation (SHG) in nonlinear crystals is important because it extends the available wavelength range and significantly improves the contrast ratio.
© 1994 Optical Society of America
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