Modeling high-peak-power few-cycle field waveform generation by optical parametric amplification in the long-wavelength infrared

Extended coupled-wave analysis of optical parametric chirped-pulse amplification (OPCPA) reveals regimes whereby high-peak-power few-cycle pulses can be generated in the long-wavelength infrared (LWIR) spectral range. Broadband OPCPA in suitable nonlinear crystals pumped at around 2 mu m and seeded either through the signal or the idler input is shown to enable the generation of high-power field waveforms with pulse widths shorter than two field cycles within the entire LWIR range. (C) 2016 Optical Society of America