Pulse contrast enhancement of high-energy pulses using a gas-filled hollow waveguide

Abstract

We demonstrate theoretically and experimentally that the technique of nonlinear ellipse rotation in a gas-filled hollow waveguide greatly improves the contrast of microjoule-to-millijoule femtosecond laser pulses. This technique has numerous advantages over competing techniques and will facilitate the development of the next generation of ultra-high-peak power femtosecond laser systems.