Generation of ultra-intense laser pulses

The lecture is addressed to Bachelor and Master students of physics and covers the generation of ultra short and high intensity laser pulses in so called Chirped-Pulse-Amplification (Strickland and Mourou, Nobel Prize 2018) laser systems. The mathematical description of ultra short laser pulses is introduced with relevant methods, like Fourier transformation, or Gauss- and Airy-function. After a description of non-linear propagation phenomena the CPA-principle is introduced and the required dispersion management is described by different exemplary dispersive setups. Subsequently an introduction to laser amplification follows in consideration of the broad bandwidths of the laser pulses and the connected problems. Afterwards different real-world system setups are presented. In the end typical methods and setups for the analysis of ultra short and high intensity pulses are described.