Summary of Texas Petawatt Laser Capabilities

• We typically operate the Texas Petawatt Laser at 100-140 J energies. Energy stability is better than 5% shot-to-shot. Varying energy accurately is difficult and laser diagnostics can operate less well at lower energies.
• Shortest pulse duration is typically around 140 ± 10 fs (shot-to-shot rms). Pulse duration can be lengthened if desired by the user up to several ps by incomplete recompression, or ns-pulsed can be achieved bypassing the compressor. Laser diagnostic performance can be affected.
• The Strehl ratio of the focused pulse is typically around 0.65 ± 10 (shot to shot rms).
• Focus in TC1 is f/3 or f/1.1. Please consult with the TPW staff before requesting f/1.1.
• Focus in TC2 is f/40.
• The repetition rate achievable by the laser system at full energy is one shot per hour; the experiment rate will often be slower because of user target area activities.
• Central wavelength is 1057 nm.
• Polarization is vertical in TC1 and TC2.
• The pulse spatial profile can be approximated by a 6th to 8th order supergaussian.
• The pulse temporal profile is gaussian.
• Laser operating modes.
• TC1 layout and STEP model.
• TC2 layout and STEP model.
• Contrast data.
• Laser diagnostics.
• User data provided after shot.