Laser Crystals for Extreme Optics
Presentation
COORDINATOR: G. Mennerat PARTNERS: CEA Paris Saclay – Cristal Laser
CEA Paris-Saclay and Cristal Laser have set up a platform bringing together original characterization instruments to refine understanding of aging phenomena in non-linear and electro-optical optical crystals, and improve the lifetime and performance of finished products.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Cristal Laser is constantly improving its crystal growth processes and finished products, and is now reinforcing the quality of its non-linear optical crystals to offer robust, reliable solutions over time for high-energy, high-medium-power lasers. This rapidly expanding market extends from the semiconductor and nuclear sectors to space applications. The European Space Agency is supporting the Aeolus follow-on program to achieve a 7-year lifetime for the 355 nm laser within 5 years. Expected progress is even more ambitious in the deeper UV range, particularly for nuclear applications, and requires new technical solutions. Providing these markets with suitable crystals will give the company a major competitive edge on the world stage in the years to come.
METHODOLOGY AND RESULTS
The CEA has brought together a wide range of lasers in a single, permanent platform, from ultra-short 20 fs to continuous operation, and from mid-infrared (3 μm) to deep UV (180 nm). It provides manufacturers with original test and characterization resources that complement those already in use, as well as theoretical support in laser-matter interaction to guide their research, improve their processes, and specify the parameters for integrating their components into their customers’ devices. CEA instrumentation serves as a benchmark for the joint development of benches installed on industrial sites (production monitoring and R&D). The CEA is renewing its instrumentation, and applying new methods for in-depth study of the processes involved in the creation and relaxation of defects in dielectrics, induced by intense radiation on different timescales, a rich and active scientific theme. The 1st of the 4 planned benches is in routine use, while the others are under development.
In May 2023, CLOE achieved a major breakthrough by demonstrating the production of more than 45 W at 257 nm
ADDED VALUE AND PROSPECTS
CLOE’s characterization methods and results are currently protected by industrial secrecy, giving it a competitive edge over its Asian, Israeli and American rivals.
LabCom CLOE’s work has led to three invited presentations by the CEA at international conferences on the exceptional performance of crystals, and strengthens CEA’s scientific collaborations with world-class institutions such as the Laboratoire d’Optique Appliquée Palaiseau, the University of Geneva, the University of Stuttgart, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and the LaserLab Europe Consortium. These activities support the atomic physics programs of the Energy Division.
Two CEA patents are currently being drafted on innovative laser architectures, followed by articles submitted to international peer-reviewed journals.
Cristal Laser’s customers are very interested in the performances obtained, and the CEA may be involved in confidential communications.
