High-power, subpicosecond 10-µm pulse generation

Two-picosecond, 10-micron pulses, generated by optical semiconductor switching, have been regeneratively amplified in a multiatmosphere TE CO2 gain module. Pulses have been produced with a peak circulating energy of about 15 mJ and a power density in the gain medium in excess of 10 to the 12th W/sq cm. A plasma-breakdown wave, traveling with the regeneratively amplified pulse, combined with anomalous dispersion in the NaCl windows, has permitted compression of these pulses to less than 1 psec in duration.