OPCPA

• Acquire the basic concepts in optics and non-linear optics and understand parametric processes
• Learn how to simulate and design parametric stages (SHG, OPO, OPA, OPCPA)
• Get an overview of state of the art achievements with OPCPAs
• Build a network of users within the European community and exchange knowledge and how-to among the participants.  Initiate collaborations.

• Users or designers of high intensity/high energy/high average power lasers based on optical parametric processes
• Technicians, Engineers, Researchers
• Undergraduate and PhD students

• Theoretical background
• Practice and Lab
• Computation and simulations

Pr Eric CORMIER – Bordeaux University, CELIA

• Basic concepts:
  • Ultrashort pulse propagation, dispersion, CEP
  • Principles of linear and non-linear optics. Second or third order susceptibility.  Phase matching. Non-linear processes (SHG, DFG, OPA, …, SPM, XPM, XPW, 4WM …)
  • Architectures involving parametric amplification processes associated with second order (3 wave mixing) and third order (4WM)
  • Non-linear materials (crystals, glass, fibers, …)
  • Simulating parametric processes (SNLO, Commod Pro, MIT, 2D, 3D, …)

  OPA based systems:

  • High energy and high average power SHG
  • MidIR ultrashort pulses at 160 kHz (Nd-YVO₄ pump source)
  • 2 cycles at 2 μm at 100 kHz (Yb-fiber pump source)
  • High-energy OPCPA at 3.9 μm (Nd-YAG pump source)
  • 4.5 fs 20 GW at 800 nm (Yb-fiber pump source)
  • OPCPA front-end for PETAL 10 PW laser (Nd:glass pump source)
  • Fiber OPA (Yb-fiber pump source and non-linear medium)
  • Fourier Domain OPA (Ti:Sapphire pump source)
  • Visible OPA
  • High-intensity / high-energy OPCPA
  • High–contrast OPCPA front-end

  Lab work:

  • Simulations
  • Frequency doubling, phase matching, angular-spectral-temperature acceptance,
  • Supercontinuum generation and DFG
  • CEP control and measurement
  • OPA
  • Fiber OPA
  • 4WM