Electro-optic harmonic conversion switch for large-aperture multipass laser systems.

ABSTRACT

We have demonstrated electro-optically tuned second-harmonic generation using Type I KDP inside a plasma-electrode discharge cell. An axial voltage of +/-52 kV is required to switch a 1.064-microm beam by conversion to 0.53/microm, in agreement with theory. Electro-optically tuned harmonic generation may be combined with a recently developed transparent plasma electrode to produce a large-aperture switch for multipass laser systems.