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Optical parametric chirped-pulse amplification implemented using multikilojoule Nd:glass pump lasers is a promising approach for producing ultra-intense pulses (>1023 W/cm2). We report on the MTW-OPAL Laser System, an optical parametric amplifier line (OPAL) pumped by the Nd:doped portion of the multi-terawatt (MTW) laser. This midscale prototype was designed to produce 0.5-PW pulses with technologies scalable to tens of petawatts. Technology choices made for MTW-OPAL were guided by the longer-term goal of two full-scale OPALs pumped by the OMEGA EP to produce 2 × 25-PW beams that would be co-located with kilojoule−nanosecond ultraviolet beams. Several MTW-OPAL campaigns that have been completed since "first light" in March 2020 show that the laser design is fundamentally sound, and optimization continues as we prepare for "first-focus" campaigns later this year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The field of high-speed measurements for optical telecommunication systems is reviewed. An emphasis is placed on diagnostics evaluating the temporal electric field of light, i.e., broadly speaking, those that temporally resolve the shape of the optical wave in these systems. Sensitivity to the electric field can be obtained via sampling techniques operating directly in the time domain or via indirect approaches. A survey of characterization techniques used to measure statistical representations of data-encoded sources and complete representations of periodic sources is presented and complemented by the description of experimental implementations and results [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

We study a technique to measure the radio-frequency (RF) spectrum of an optical signal based on nonlinear optics. The conventional approach, based on fast photodetection and analysis of the generated photocurrent via electronics means, is replaced by a nonlinear interaction of the source under test with a quasimonochromatic source followed by an optical spectrum measurement. Our technique has the advantage of an all-optical measurement that can provide a much larger bandwidth than electronic alternatives. The properties of this diagnostic, such as resolution and bandwidth, are studied. Typical applications to the monitoring of optical signals are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]