Optical parametric amplification of broadband chirped pulses at 1 micron

Summary form only given. In the past few years, people recognized it is possible to amplify broadband optical pulses through optical parametric process with a few of well-developed nonlinear crystals. However direct amplification of the femtosecond pulses is limited by their pulse duration and associated nonlinear effects. We present both simulation and experimental studies on a stable high gain OPCPA (optical parametric chirped-pulse amplification) system which may be used as a preamplifier to replace the current complicated regenerative system and multi-pass Ti:sapphire amplifiers especially working at 1 /spl mu/m.