Nd:YLF Regenerative Amplifier for Pulse-Shaping on the 30-kJ (40-TW) UV OMEGA Laser System

A negative-feedback Nd:YLF regenerative amplifier (regen) is described with excellent amplitude stability for amplifying complex pulse shapes that will be injected into the OMEGA laser system. Operational characteristics and the optical square pulse distortion of this regen are presented. The measured feedback-controlled regen square pulse distortion is reproducible and can be easily compensated by proper choice of input optical pulse shape.