Development of a Multibeam, Parabolic Pulse, Kilohertz Terawatt Laser Facility for Ultrafast Optical Physics

Colorado School Of Mines, Golden CO

Investigators

Abstract

This MRI award provides for the construction of a multibeam TeraWatt kilohertz laser system at the Colorado School of Mines. Parabolic pulses from a Ti:sapphire oscillator will be used as the seed for a unique, multibeam TeraWatt kilohertz laser. Using adaptive optics, focused intensities on the order of ten to the power 20 Watts per square centimeter can be achieved with this system. A broad array of available frequency conversion optics makes it possible for this laser source to generate radiation that spans from the x-ray regime to the mid-infrared. This TeraWatt kilohertz laser facility will form the basis of a universal light source that will be used by multiple departments on the Colorado School of Mines (CSM) campus and will enable interdisciplinary programs in optical, atomic and nuclear physics, chemistry, metallurgy, and biology. The laser facility will feature two beamlines: a 1mJ, 20 fs, 1 kHz beamline, and a 20 mJ, 20 fs, 1 kHz beamline. Each line can be manipulated independently (in wavelength, pulse duration, and intensity) making it possible to simultaneously drive a large number of experiments at low and high intensities. Scientific applications for the low energy arm include generating mid-IR pulses to be used for surface vibrational sum-frequency spectroscopy (SVSFG). Through the special sensitivity of SVSFG we expect dramatic progress in the understanding of systems across a broad range of applications such as: chemical mechanisms of self-assembly of covalently attached molecular monolayers, energy dissipation mechanisms in nano-lubrication, photochemical degradation mechanisms of polymeric materials, bio-specific surface attachment for implant compatibility, fundamental mechanisms of liquid crystal dynamics at interfaces, and primary processes in adhesion. Scientific applications for the high energy arm include the efficient generation of ultrafast x-rays for medical imaging, ultrafast x-ray absorption (EXAFS) and diffractive studies in solid-state materials and complex molecules.