Abstract

We have developed a robust optical parametric amplifier (OPA) based on three-${\mathrm{AgGaS}}_2$-crystal pumping by a Cr:Forsterite GW femtosecond laser system, generating 150 fs pulses in dual bands of 1.6–2.0 μm (signal wave) and 3.5–5.5 μm (idler wave). By introducing a negative prechirp to the pump, a combined efficiency in two waves of greater than 10% was achieved, with signal energy up to 110 μJ and idler energy up to 43 μJ. Operation parameters of the system (intensity up to $90\mathrm{TW}/{\mathrm{cm}}^2$) make OPA a promising tool for driving nonlinear optical phenomena, including generation of optical harmonics and laser-induced extreme states of matter in solids and liquids. As a proof of principle, we generated harmonics up to the sixth order and sum frequencies in 5 mm thick polycrystalline ZnSe.

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