US 11,835,842 B2 · Processor-controlled high harmonic optimization with optimal gas handling

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for improved HHG of ultrashort pulse laser beams. A HHG assembly includes a gas distribution block and a waveguide cartridge having a HHG hollow core waveguide. The waveguide cartridge is attached to the gas distribution block and may be removed and replaced, while the gas distribution block remains affixed within the apparatus. The gas distribution block is configured to maintain a pressure profile within the hollow core fiber. The system also includes two operating beam sensors and two actuatable mirrors. The operating beam sensors are fixed with respect to the HHG assembly. The system is aligned before operation by adjusting the actuatable mirrors to optimize a sample beam through the waveguide and recording the position of the beam on the operating beam sensors. In operation, the mirrors are actuated to maintain the same positions of the input beam on the operating beam sensors.

Claims17

Dependent claims

An apparatus for high harmonic generation (HHG) comprising:

a polarized ultrashort pulse laser source;
an HHG assembly comprising a gas distribution block and a waveguide cartridge having a HHG hollow core waveguide, the waveguide cartridge removeably attached to the gas distribution block, and the gas distribution block configured to maintain a pressure profile within the HHG hollow core waveguide;
two operating beam sensors;
two actuatable mirrors, and a processor configured to communicate with the operating beam sensors and automatically and repeatedly adjust the actuatable mirrors while the apparatus is operating such that a beam from the ultrashort pulse laser source is directed into the HHG hollow core waveguide;
wherein the HHG assembly is fixed in place with respect to the two operating beam sensors during operation.

2 more elements

A method of high harmonic generation (HHG) comprising the steps of:

providing an HHG assembly comprising a gas distribution block and a waveguide cartridge having a HHG hollow core waveguide, the HHG hollow core waveguide cartridge removeably attached to the gas distribution block, and the gas distribution block configured to maintain a pressure profile within the HHG hollow core waveguide;
providing two operating beam sensors;
providing two actuatable mirrors,
fixing the operating beam sensors in place with respect to the HHG assembly;
providing predetermined beam positions on each of the operating beam sensors;
providing a polarized ultrashort pulse laser beam configured to cause HHG within the HHG assembly;
sensing operating beam positions of the laser beam with the operating beam sensors;
and
automatically and repeatedly adjusting the actuatable mirrors such that the operating beam positions on each of the operating beam sensors matches the predetermined beam positions.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Processor-controlled high harmonic optimization with optimal gas handling

Life of this patent

Processor-controlled high harmonic optimization with optimal gas handling

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17