Improvements in the amplification of ultrashort pulses at megahertz repetition rates: characterization of a six-pass amplifier

Abstract

We describe a multipass dye laser amplifier pumped by a cavity-dumped argon-ion laser for the amplification of ultrashort pulses at megahertz repetition rates. We present the operation and performance characterization of the system for the amplification of picosecond pulses from a synchronously pumped, cavity-dumped dye laser. We find that the multipass configuration of the amplifier provides conversion efficiencies of ~25% of the available energy provided by the pump laser. These results are consistent with appropriate models for the gain of the amplifier.