Efficient Few-Cycle Pulse Amplification Using an Optical Parametric Multi-Pass Cell Amplifier

Multi-pass cell (MPC) based post-compression supporting large compression factors, high transmission efficiency and excellent beam quality has become a key technology in the generation of high power few femtosecond laser pulses [1]. However, this technique has limitations in terms of spectral bandwidth and temporal contrast. Optical parametric chirped pulse amplification (OPCPA) is another key technology for ultrashort laser pulse generation providing outstanding spectral flexibility and temporal contrast but typically less than 20% pump-to-signal conversion efficiency and limited spatial beam quality [2]. Addressing these limitations is critical for applications demanding both high average and high peak power. In this work, we propose a novel scheme which combines the advantages of MPC based post-compression and OPCPA. The optical parametric MPC (OPMPC) amplifier concept is validated using numerical simulations revealing high amplification efficiency exceeding 50%, a large bandwidth and excellent spatio-temporal pulse quality.