High-power sub-15 fs nonlinear pulse compression at 515 nm of an ultrafast Yb-doped fiber amplifier

We present an efficient and robust scheme to produce energetic sub-15 fs pulses centered at 515 nm with a peak power exceeding 3 GW. Combining efficient second-harmonic generation of a 135 fs, 50 W Yb-doped fiber amplifier with a low-loss capillary-based visible pulse compression stage, we reach an overall efficiency higher than >20%. The system is also designed to take advantage of the repetition rate flexibility of the fiber amplifier, leading sub-15 fs pulse generation from 166 to 500 kHz with an average power exceeding the 10 watt level. The combined reduction of the laser wavelength and pulse duration is expected to highly improve the yield of high-order harmonic generation to provide high photon flux of ultrashort extreme ultraviolet radiation. (C) 2021 Optical Society of America

Automated summary

The scheme efficiently generates energetic sub-15 fs pulses centered at 515 nm with peak power exceeding 3 GW. By combining a Yb-doped fiber amplifier and a capillary-based visible pulse compression stage, the system achieves an overall efficiency higher than 20%. With the flexibility to adjust repetition rate, the system can generate sub-15 fs pulses at different frequencies with high peak power.