Abstract: A method and an arrangement of spectrally broadening laser pulses for non-linear pulse compression is disclosed which is based on the transition from the spectral broadening in a waveguide to the spectral broadening in a suitably shaped lens conductor. The arrangement is non-sensitive with respect to the variations of the pulse power, the position and parameters of the laser beam. The spectrally broadened pulses can be compressed in a satisfactory manner and the quality of the laser beam maintained by dividing the non-linear phase required for spectral broadening into sufficiently smaller steps which can be separated without non-linearity by suitable prorogation. The limitation of the pulse powers to less than the critical power of dielectrics is thus overcome and a pulse energy range for which the spectral broadening in the glass fibers cannot be used, is developed. The arrangement can compress pulses having a large average power.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement of spectrally broadening laser pulses for non-linear pulse compression is disclosed which is based on the transition from the spectral broadening in a waveguide to the spectral broadening in a suitably shaped lens conductor. The arrangement is non-sensitive with respect to the variations of the pulse power, the position and parameters of the laser beam. The spectrally broadened pulses can be compressed in a satisfactory manner and the quality of the laser beam maintained by dividing the non-linear phase required for spectral broadening into sufficiently smaller steps which can be separated without non-linearity by suitable prorogation. The limitation of the pulse powers to less than the critical power of dielectrics is thus overcome and a pulse energy range for which the spectral broadening in the glass fibres cannot be used, is developed. The arrangement can compress pulses having a large average power.

Abstract: An optically end-pumped amplifier with a plate-shaped optical gain medium has a plurality of pump laser units for optically pumping the gain medium through at least one of the narrow side surfaces thereof. The pump laser units are designed such that the pump laser radiation, upon passing through the gain medium, has an elongated beam cross section having a short axis and a long axis running parallel to the main surfaces of the gain medium and propagates freely through the gain medium with respect to the short axis. They are arranged such that in each case the principal axes of the beam bundles of the pump laser units impinge on one of the pumped side surfaces in a plane perpendicular to the short axis at an angle to one another, wherein the beam cross sections of the beam bundles are superimposed on one another.

Abstract: An optically end-pumped amplifier with a plate-shaped optical gain medium has a plurality of pump laser units for optically pumping the gain medium through at least one of the narrow side surfaces thereof. The pump laser units are designed such that the pump laser radiation, upon passing through the gain medium, has an elongated beam cross section having a short axis and a long axis running parallel to the main surfaces of the gain medium and propagates freely through the gain medium with respect to the short axis. They are arranged such that in each case the principal axes of the beam bundles of the pump laser units impinge on one of the pumped side surfaces in a plane perpendicular to the short axis at an angle to one another, wherein the beam cross sections of the beam bundles are superimposed on one another.