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Spectral-broadening of the APOLLON PW-class laser pulses using a thin-film compression technique within the long-focal-area interaction chamber of the APOLLON laser facility is reported, demonstrating the delivery of the full energy pulse to the target interaction area. The laser pulse at 7 J passing through large aperture, thin glass wafers is spectrally broadened to a bandwidth that is compatible with a 15-fs pulse, indicating also the possibility to achieve sub-10-fs pulses using 14 J. Placing the post-compressor near the interaction makes for an economical method to produce the shortest pulses by limiting the need for high damage, broadband optics close to the final target rather than throughout the entire laser transport system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The resonance ionization laser ion source (RILIS) at the ISOLDE on-line isotope separator is based on the selective excitation of atomic transitions by tunable laser radiation. New ion beams have been produced with RILIS in recent years: Sb, Sc, Dy, Au, Hg and Po. In total, isotopes of 26 different elements have been selectively laser-ionized and separated at ISOLDE. In order to facilitate the work on development of atomic ionization schemes an off-line laser laboratory has been established at CERN. Operating independently of the on-line RILIS setup, this laboratory will be capable of providing extensive data on atomic transitions, in particular between highly excited and auto-ionizing atomic states, which are required for the improvement of the RILIS efficiency. Additionally, the program of upgrading the on-line RILIS system by the implementation of solid state lasers will be presented. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]