Description

Intense ultrashort light pulses with full control of the subcycle field evolution preferably with kHz repetition rates are required to produce via high-order harmonic generation controlled single attosecond pulses allowing real-time observation, manipulation and tracking of atomic-scale electron dynamics. Ultrashort pulses in the range of a few femtoseconds at kHz repetition rates have been demonstrated using a nonlinear compression stage. However, it has been difficult to extend these systems to the multi-mJ level. Optical parametric chirped pulse amplifiers have emerged as a powerful alternative for creating few-cycle pulses, and are the only method by which high energy multi-mJ few-cycle light pulses have been generated. This thesis focuses on the development of an amplifier laser system especially designed for use in pumping an efficient, high gain, high contrast, optical parametric chirped pulse amplifier with a simplified stretcher-compressor system. Described is the development of a regenerative amplifier based on an Yb:YAG thin disk as gain medium with peak powers above 15 GW marking the birth of a new generation of pump lasers for optical chirped pulse amplifiers.