Abstract

20 years after the first demonstration of femtosecond pulses, ultrashort laser sources have become a commercial tool. The fundamental techniques have not changed since 10 years and chirped pulse amplification (CPA) is still the only way of producing high intensity femtosecond pulses. Nevertheless, new applications have brought new challenges for laser development both in terms of pure performances and in terms of reliability and utility. We will describe examples of new sources developed in these two directions.

© 2001 EPS