MTW-OPAL: a technology development platform for ultra-intense optical parametric chirped-pulse amplification systems

Optical parametric chirped-pulse amplification implemented using multikilojoule Nd:glass pump lasers is a promising approach for producing ultra-intense pulses (>10(23) W/cm(2)). We report on the MTW-OPAL Laser System, an optical parametric amplifier line (OPAL) pumped by the Nd:doped portion of the multi-terawatt (MTW) laser. This midscale prototype was designed to produce 0.5-PW pulses with technologies scalable to tens of petawatts. Technology choices made for MTW-OPAL were guided by the longer-term goal of two full-scale OPALs pumped by the OMEGA EP to produce 2 x 25-PW beams that would be co-located with kilojoule-nanosecond ultraviolet beams. Several MTW-OPAL campaigns that have been completed since first light in March 2020 show that the laser design is fundamentally sound, and optimization continues as we prepare for first-focus campaigns later this year.

Automated summary

Optical parametric chirped-pulse amplification using multikilojoule Nd:glass pump lasers is a promising method for generating ultra-intense laser pulses. The MTW-OPAL Laser System is a mid-scale prototype aimed at producing 0.5-PW pulses with technologies scalable to tens of petawatts. Campaigns completed since March 2020 show that the laser design is fundamentally sound, with ongoing optimization for future first-focus campaigns.