Abstract

High-power lasers for fusion typically employ a master oscillator-power amplifier configuration. Master oscillators for glass lasers have used Q-switched, flash-lamp-pumped lasers to provide a large input signal level and achieve a large signal-to-noise ratio in the amplifier. The kilowatt to megawatt peak powers produced by these oscillators require high damage threshold bulk modulators for pulse selection and shaping. Pockels cells are normally used for modulation, and these require high voltage pulse generators. The Nova laser master oscillator uses a multikilovolt, 100-ps rise time arbitrary pulse shaping device to drive Pockels cells and produce optical pulses with a complex temporal shape. While this system is used routinely, it brings with it problems associated with high voltages, complex optical systems, and flash lamp-pumped lasers.

© 1992 Optical Society of America