Manipulation of High Intensity Laser Pulses
Laser systems with extraordinary high peak power are the basis for our research. Our workhorse, the Advanced Titanium-Sapphire Laser System (ATLAS) is operated by the group of S. Karsch and continuously upgraded. The next milestone of 300 TW peak power will be realized at the Laboratory for Extreme Photonics (LEX Photonics) before its power will ultimately reach 3 PW in the Centre for Advanced Laser Applications (CALA). Amongst others, our group is active in developing tools to diagnose and enhance the temporal contrast of the laser pulses by means of plasma mirrors and similar techniques based on plasma devices. Complementary to our studies at in-house laser systems, we are involved in numerous external collaborations including experimental campaigns at the LWS system at MPQ and state of the art high power laser systems such as the CLF's Astra Gemini laser at RAL (UK), Texas PW (US), MBI (Berlin) and PHeliX at GSI (Darmstadt).