Abstract
A 120-ps pulse from a Q-switch, mode-locked Nd: YAG laser was compressed to 1 ps by using two stages of a fiber-grating pulse compressor, an overall pulse-compression rate thus being 120. A laser pulse of 1 ps or 10 ps pulse width was amplified respectively to 0.8 TW or to 1.5 TW peak power by using a Gekko MII Nd: glass laser system. The design and performance of the optical pulse compressor, and detailed performance of amplification for the 1 ps pulse are presented.
