Intense Laser Adaptive Optics: Having laid the groundwork for understanding the importance of wavefront correction in Part 1, we now turn our attention to the innovative technology behind ILAO-STAR. Discover how this advanced deformable mirror redefines precision and performance in the realm of high-power lasers.
ILAO-STAR : Customizability Meets Precision
Combining patented mechanical actuator technology with unparalleled customization options, the ILAO-STAR is engineered for applications that demand exceptional precision and stability. The mirror transforms large-scale mechanical actuator movements into on-demand nanometric adjustments of the spatial phase of laser light, providing precise optical aberration corrections with active-flat performance better than 10 nm RMS. This ensures diffraction-limited beam quality, meaning that the laser light is as focused and intense as possible.
One of Ilao-Star’s standout features is its exceptional reproducibility, with linearity exceeding 99.9% and hysteresis below 0.1%. Most notably, the ILAO-STAR deformable mirror distinguishes itself by eliminating intermediate wavefront shapes within the adaptive optics correction loop, thus, without the so-called “breathing effect” commonly seen in other systems.
ILAO-STAR : Redefining Intense Laser Adaptive Optics
ILAO STAR new Gen, the latest generation of ILAO-STAR deformable mirrors, simultaneously packs excellent reproducibility and single-movement optical aberration correction. Video 1 demonstrates the single-movement optical aberration correction capability of the ILAO STAR deformable mirror. Starting from peak-to-valley (PtV) wavefront deformation, a single iteration with unity close-loop gain yields an aberration-corrected beam with 23 nm root-mean-square (RMS) wavefront error; all while making a single movement, thus, without generating intermediate wavefront shapes within the adaptive optics correction loop.
Video 1. Single-movement optical aberration correction. The video shows the correction of a large amount of optical aberrations in only one close-loop iteration while making a single movement.
On the other hand, Video 2 exemplifies the excellent reproducibility of ILAO-STAR. The demonstration highlights the reproducibility of the deformable mirror by switching between saved wavefront corrector shapes. Initially, a distorted point spread function (PSF) is corrected by loading a saved actuator distribution, improving the Strehl ratio to over 0.95 and reducing wavefront RMS from ~420 nm to 20 nm. Switching to a shape-inducing astigmatism distorts the PSF again, but reloading the optimized shape restores the high Strehl ratio. This process demonstrates the DM’s ability to transition between configurations with high fidelity.
Video 2: Excellent Reproducibility of ILAO-STAR deformable mirror.
Leveraging high linearity and low hysteresis yielding exceptional reproducibility, and single-movement compensation, ILAO-STAR has opened the prospects of close-loop correction in the full-power mode of the laser and at an impressive rate of 10 Hertz, as recently demonstrated for state-of-the-art petawatt-class system [3].
Figure 5. Imagine Optic’s ILAO-STAR deformable mirrors deliver simultaneously excellent reproducibility and single-movement optical aberration correction, opening the possibility of close-loop correction in the full-power mode of the laser, and at a rate of 10 Hertz
Software Solutions for Enhanced Precision: Intense Laser Adaptive Optics
Imagine Optic complements the ILAO-STAR’s hardware capabilities with powerful software solutions. WaveTune™ provides optical wavefront correction and user-friendly controls, while PharAO™ manages end-of-chain aberrations with its Phase Retrieval adaptive optics system [8-9]. These tools enhance operational security, allowing the mirror to synchronize with laser pulses and adjust safely even during full-power operation of petawatt-class systems [3].
Conclusion
The ILAO-STAR sets a new benchmark in adaptive optics for high-power laser systems, offering unmatched precision and demonstrated capability to correct wavefront distortions of petawatt-class systems at full laser power, and at an impressive rate of 10 Hertz [3]. From particle acceleration to laser fusion, it empowers a wide range of cutting-edge applications.
Imagine Optic’s ILAO-STAR is a transformative solution for high-power laser systems, unlocking new possibilities in advanced research and technology. Learn more about how this innovative deformable mirror can redefine your laser applications by visiting Imagine Optic’s website.
#HighPowerLasers #ILAOSTAR #AdaptiveOptics #WavefrontCorrection #PhotonicsInnovation #LaserApplications #PetawattLaser #BeamShaping #LaserTechnology #OpticalAberrationCorrection #PrecisionOptics
References:
[1] F. Lureau et al., “High-energy hybrid femtosecond laser system demonstrating 2 × 10 PW capability,” High Power Laser Science and Engineering, vol. 8, p. e43 (2020).
[2] C. Radier et al., “10 PW peak power femtosecond laser pulses at ELI-NP,” High Power Laser Science and Engineering, vol. 10, p. e21 (2022).
[3] R. S. Nagymihály et al., “The petawatt laser of ELI ALPS: reaching the 700 TW level at 10 Hz repetition rate,” Opt. Express 31, 44160-44176 (2023).
[4] H. Kiriyama et al., “Laser Output Performance and Temporal Quality Enhancement at the J-KAREN-P Petawatt Laser Facility,” Photonics 2023, 10(9), 997 (2023).
[5] H.-S. Mao et al., “High-quality spatial modes for petawatt-class lasers,” AIP Conf. Proc. 28 October 2016; 1777 (1): 110003 (2016).
[5] S Toth et al., “SYLOS lasers – the frontier of few-cycle, multi-TW, kHz lasers for ultrafast applications at extreme light infrastructure attosecond light pulse source,” J. Phys. Photonics 2 045003 (2020).
[6] R. Clady et al., “22 W average power multiterawatt femtosecond laser chain enabling 1019 W/cm2 at 100 Hz”, Appl. Phys. B 124, 89 (2018).
[7] S.J. Hawkes et al., “Laser wakefield acceleration with active feedback at 5 Hz,” Phys. Rev. Accel. Beams 22, 041303 (2019).
[8] F. Canova et al., “Wavefront Correction and Aberrations Pre-Compensation in the Middle of Petawatt-Class CPA Laser Chains,” in Conference on Lasers and ElectroOptics/Quantum Electronics and Laser Science Conference and Photonic Applications Systems Technologies, OSA Technical Digest Series (CD) (Optical Society of America, 2007), paper JThD125.
[9] N. Varkentina et al., “New adaptive optics control strategy for petawatt-class laser chains”, Quantum Electronics 47 (8) 711 – 717 (2017).