The Argonne Wakefield Accelerator (AWA) laser system and its laser pulse shaper

Generating a 100 nC, 20 ps (FWHM) pulse length electron beam at the AWA requires a stable laser system capable of producing 1-3 ps, 1 mJ pulses at 248 nm and the capability of shaping the wave front. A wave front shaping device has been designed and built. It consists of nine concentric cylindrical mirrors. Each cylinder's position can be adjusted relative to the others by a system of computer controlled stepping motors. The reflecting surfaces were optically polished and dielectric coated. Detailed characterizations of the laser pulse shaper's performance using a streak camera and its associated optics are presented.<
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