Global optimization of pulse compression in chirped pulse amplification

We show theoretically that a global minimization of the spectral phase modulation leads to short pulses over a broad range of compressor parameters in chirped pulse amplification. The best way to achieve the optimization is debated. In summary, we have shown that a given compressor can be optimized by several means. Depending on the criteria used to optimize the compressor, the final pulse shape may differ slightly. In any case, an exact cancellation of the lower dispersion terms always gives the poorest results and one must definitely think in terms of global optimization of the residual phase modulation.