Contrast Ratio Improvement by Using Gain Control of the Amplifiers in a 100-TW Ti:sapphire Laser

Abstract

We investigate the temporal profile of a prepulse via amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) in the saturation regime of the amplifier of an ultrashort high power Ti:sapphire laser, which plays an important role in applications of a high peak power laser. We experimentally show that the temporal profile of the ASE prepulse is strongly related to the gain of the amplifier due to the saturation effect. We demonstrate that the contrast ratio can be improved by using gain control of the amplifiers in a 100-TW Ti:sapphire laser.