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Plasma optical modulators for intense lasers

Author

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  • Lu-Le Yu

    (Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Jiao Tong University
    Collaborative Innovation Center of IFSA (CICIFSA), Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

  • Yao Zhao

    (Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Jiao Tong University
    Collaborative Innovation Center of IFSA (CICIFSA), Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

  • Lie-Jia Qian

    (Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Jiao Tong University
    Collaborative Innovation Center of IFSA (CICIFSA), Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

  • Min Chen

    (Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Jiao Tong University
    Collaborative Innovation Center of IFSA (CICIFSA), Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

  • Su-Ming Weng

    (Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Jiao Tong University
    Collaborative Innovation Center of IFSA (CICIFSA), Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

  • Zheng-Ming Sheng

    (Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Jiao Tong University
    Collaborative Innovation Center of IFSA (CICIFSA), Shanghai Jiao Tong University
    SUPA, University of Strathclyde)

  • D. A. Jaroszynski

    (SUPA, University of Strathclyde)

  • W. B. Mori

    (University of California)

  • Jie Zhang

    (Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Jiao Tong University
    Collaborative Innovation Center of IFSA (CICIFSA), Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

Abstract

Optical modulators can have high modulation speed and broad bandwidth, while being compact. However, these optical modulators usually work for low-intensity light beams. Here we present an ultrafast, plasma-based optical modulator, which can directly modulate high-power lasers with intensity up to 1016 W cm−2 to produce an extremely broad spectrum with a fractional bandwidth over 100%, extending to the mid-infrared regime in the low-frequency side. This concept relies on two co-propagating laser pulses in a sub-millimetre-scale underdense plasma, where a drive laser pulse first excites an electron plasma wave in its wake while a following carrier laser pulse is modulated by the plasma wave. The laser and plasma parameters suitable for the modulator to work are based on numerical simulations.

Suggested Citation

  • Lu-Le Yu & Yao Zhao & Lie-Jia Qian & Min Chen & Su-Ming Weng & Zheng-Ming Sheng & D. A. Jaroszynski & W. B. Mori & Jie Zhang, 2016. "Plasma optical modulators for intense lasers," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-7, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:7:y:2016:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms11893
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms11893
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