High power picosecond laser system at 248 nm

We describe a powerful picosecond KrF* laser system consisting of a synchronously pumped dye oscillator, a three‐stage dye amplifier, frequency conversion to 248 nm, and amplification through a series of excimer modules. Characteristics are given at each stage of the system. With the first stage of the system complete, a focused intensity of ∼1016 W/cm2 is obtained. Initial visible spectra obtained by interaction with various targets are presented.