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Acousto-optic modulation of gigawatt-scale laser pulses in ambient air

Schrödel, Yannick ; Hartmann, Claas ; Zheng, Jiaan ; Lang, Tino ; Steudel, Max ; Rutsch, Matthias ; Salman, Sarper H. ; Kellert, Martin ; Pergament, Mikhail ; Hahn-Jose, Thomas ; Suppelt, Sven ; Dörsam, Jan Helge ; Harth, Anne ; Leemans, Wim P. ; Kärtner, Franz X. ; Hartl, Ingmar ; Kupnik, Mario ; Heyl, Christoph M. (2024)
Acousto-optic modulation of gigawatt-scale laser pulses in ambient air.
In: Nature Photonics, 2023, 18
doi: 10.26083/tuprints-00027700
Article, Secondary publication, Publisher's Version

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Item Type: Article
Type of entry: Secondary publication
Title: Acousto-optic modulation of gigawatt-scale laser pulses in ambient air
Language: English
Date: 10 September 2024
Place of Publication: Darmstadt
Year of primary publication: 2 October 2023
Place of primary publication: London
Publisher: Springer Nature
Journal or Publication Title: Nature Photonics
Volume of the journal: 18
DOI: 10.26083/tuprints-00027700
Corresponding Links:
Origin: Secondary publication service
Abstract:

Control over the intensity, shape, direction and phase of coherent light is essential in numerous fields, from gravitational wave astronomy, quantum metrology and ultrafast sciences to semiconductor fabrication. Modern photonics, however, can involve parameter regimes where the wavelength or high optical powers involved restrict control due to absorption, light-induced damage or optical nonlinearity in solid media. Here we propose to circumvent these constraints using gaseous media tailored by high-intensity ultrasound waves. We demonstrate an implementation of this approach by efficiently deflecting ultrashort laser pulses using ultrasound waves in ambient air, without the use of transmissive solid media. At optical peak powers of 20 GW, exceeding previous limits of solid-based acousto-optic modulation by about three orders of magnitude, we reach a deflection efficiency greater than 50% while preserving excellent beam quality. Our approach is not limited to laser pulse deflection; gas-phase photonic schemes controlled by sonic waves could potentially be useful for realizing a new class of optical elements such as lenses or waveguides, which are effectively invulnerable against damage and can operate in new spectral regions.

Uncontrolled Keywords: Optical techniques, Ultrafast lasers, Ultrafast photonics
Status: Publisher's Version
URN: urn:nbn:de:tuda-tuprints-277001
Classification DDC: 600 Technology, medicine, applied sciences > 621.3 Electrical engineering, electronics
Divisions: 18 Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology > Measurement and Sensor Technology
Date Deposited: 10 Sep 2024 12:48
Last Modified: 17 Oct 2024 06:04
URI: https://tuprints.ulb.tu-darmstadt.de/id/eprint/27700
PPN: 522223885
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