Progress in nonlinear optical materials for high power lasers

Abstract

Over the last few years, substantial progress has been made at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in nonlinear materials for high power laser applications. Specifically, we are developing materials for frequency conversion of lasers used in laser driven, thermonuclear fusion experiments and in high average power laser systems. We have developed new experimental procedures for fully characterizing the linear and nonlinear optical properties of microcrystals. Using new theoretical results we have developed a systematic method of selecting and optimizing nonlinear crystals for high-power and high-average-power laser applications. Our molecular engineering strategy for developing new materials for the fusion application has resulted in the discovery of several new materials with more attractive parameters than KDP.