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Session CO2 - Laser Accelerators; Ultraintense Laser Applications.
ORAL session, Monday afternoon, November 15
Room 203, SCC

[CO2.015] Femtosecond high-intensity laser-plasma harmonics, using practical double-plasma-mirror pulse cleaner

Robin Marjoribanks (Department of Physics, University of Toronto), P. Audebert, J.P. Geindre, T. Wittmann, J.C. Gauthier (LULI, CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique), Ph. Martin, O. Gobert, M. Perdrix, F. Quéré, G. Doumy, P. Monot, P. D'Oliveira (CEA Saclay), D. Douillet, Kim Ta Phuoc, S. Sebban, J.P. Rousseau, F. Burgy, B. Cross (LOA ENSTA)

We describe high-contrast laser-plasma harmonic generation from 50fs pulses at intensities of a few times 10^19 W cm^-2, using a practical double plasma-mirror built into a f=10m null telescope. The plasma mirrors are situated near the far-field at the middle of the telescope, and can be configured to optimize the reflection efficiency and pulse contrast. The final focal spot contains more than 50% of the original pulse energy, is highly reproducible and nearly diffraction-limited. The pulse's leading edge is steepened and pulse contrast better than 10^10 is obtained. The harmonics produced contain regular fine structure which do not appear to originate in any preformed plasma.

Part C of program listing