In this work, we perform a numerical investigation on the performance of different nonlinear optical media for ultrabroadband OPCPA at 3 μm operating wavelength, when pumped by a high energy source at 1030 nm. We compare the energy and bandwidth gain, as well as the conversion efficiency achieved through a set of available high-damage nonlinear crystals transparent at these wavelengths. Specifically, we demonstrate the potential for scaling the mid-IR OPCPA output to the multi-mJ-level. We discuss the main challenges for the implementation of a new ultrafast, high energy mid-IR source at the L2I facility and the potential applications of such a system.

Date Published: 3 October 2019
PDF: 5 pages
Proc. SPIE 11207, Fourth International Conference on Applications of Optics and Photonics, 112070N (3 October 2019); doi: 10.1117/12.2527048

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 11207:
Fourth International Conference on Applications of Optics and Photonics
Manuel Filipe P. C. M. Martins Costa, Editor(s)