Beam size at the amplifier output:

to make this measurement, I switched ON only 1st and 2nd stage.

the dichroïc mirror seems to work the best in reflection at normal AOI !!!
it's strange as most dichroïc mirrors seem to be specified at AOI = 45° ! => to be checked ! => the dichroïc mirror was set on its wrong face !!! => problem solved

the 2 images correspond to the beam measured at 24cm from the amplifier output.
we cannot use the gaussian fit due to the pump beam shape which perturbate the measurement.
I used the FWHM measurement => DX = 2.6 mm, DY = 1.8mm

Pulse shape model:

dP(x,y,t) = DP * exp( - ln(2) * ( (x/DX_fwhm)² +  (y/DY_fwhm)² ) * sech²( t / tp )

=> can we use safely the Newport 20Z40DM.10 mirrors to transport the amplifier beam ?
they are specified for 500 W/cm² CW and 4 J/cm² for 10 nsec pulses @ 1064 nm.

• if I am correct, for the previous shape model, the average power is :

Pmoy (W) = 2pi / ln(2) * tp * DP * DX_fwhm * DY_fwhm * Frep

with DP=500W/cm2, DX_fwhm=2.6mm DY_fwhm=1.8mm, tp=77ps, Frep=216MHz => Pmoy = 3.5 W !!!
this means that we should not exceed this average power with these mirrors !?!

• if I am correct, for the previous shape model, the maximal energy density (in the pulse center) is :

DE (J/cm2) = tp * DP => Pmoy = 2pi / ln(2) * DE * DX_fwhm * DY_fwhm * Frep

with DE= 4J/cm2, DX_fwhm=2.6mm DY_fwhm=1.8mm, Frep=216MHz => Pmoy = 366 MW !!!
if one applies a safety factor due to the pulse duration ratio (77ps / 10ns) => Pmoy = 2.8 MW !
this specification seems much less restrictive !

=> can we use safely the Thorlabs BB1-E03 mirrors to transport the amplifier beam ?
they are specified for 10 kW/cm CW (linear power density) and  0.5 J/cm² for 10 nsec pulses @ 1064 nm.

• the linear power density (LPD) is defined as the average power divided by the beam diameter (1/e²)

LPD = Pmoy / DXY = Pmoy / (1.7 DXY_fwhm) => Pmoy = LPD * 1.7 DXY_fwhm

with LPD=10kW/cm and DY_fwhm=1.8mm => Pmoy = 3 kW

• for maximal energy density:

with DE= 0.5J/cm2, DX_fwhm=2.6mm DY_fwhm=1.8mm, Frep=216MHz => Pmoy = 45 MW !!!
if one applies a safety factor due to the pulse duration ratio (77ps / 10ns) => Pmoy = 350 kW !

The "ThomX" CELIA amplifier is installed on the optical table.
I added all the rubber pieces available between the 2 racks to isolate as best as possible the top rack, which embeds some fans, from the bottom rack from which the laser beam is going out to the FP cavity.

1ST STAGE
-----------------

if I put 1mW (minimum input power) on the input fiber of the amplifier and I switch ON the first stage, one can measure 7mW on the 5% output tap on the front panel.
then it is mandatory to check this power before swtiching ON the other stage.
this 5% output tap on the front panel MUST BE ABOVE 7mW

input power : 1mW => 5% output tap : 7mW => amplifier output : 260µW

with the present setup, I can reach 6.8mW of input power, but the 5% output tap seems to saturate at ~ 8mW.
in this condition, the amplifier output is around 800µW

the SMA connector on the rear panel does not output any signal with the 1st stage ON.

2ND STAGE
-----------------

then, one can switch ON the 2nd stage : amplifier output is around 1.4 W (without any iris or dichroïc mirror).

the SMA connector on the rear panel does not output any signal with the 2nd stage ON.

I recorded the pulse shape of the MENHIR 216MHz in its fiber injection setup.
the fiber is then connected to the Labbuddy photodiode (~ 15GHz BW) and then to the R&S RTO2000 4GHz scope (~ 100ps rise time).

1) I put a mirror just before the CVBG.
I'm able to get >8mW in the fiber.

as the pulses coming from the laser are not streched, they should be close to Menhir pulse width (~ 200fs).
then, what I measure here is only the pulse response of the measurement system.

2) I remove the mirror before the CVBG to stretch the pulse inside the CVBG
I'm able to get >6mW in the fiber.

the 1st plot is the comparison of the 2 measurements:
in blue, the pulse measurement w/o the CVBG
in red, the pulse measurement with the CVBG

the 2nd plot is the comparison of the pulse streched by the CVBG with the pulse w/o CVBG convoluted with a tp=77.4ps sech² pulse (sech²(t/tp)).
in red, the pulse measurement with the CVBG
in dashed black, the convolution.
(as the spectrum is changed by the CVBG, it is normal that both pulse shapes are not exactly the same).
tp=77.4ps corresponds to t_FWHM = 1.76*77.4ps = 136 ps

both pulses exhibit a FWHM duration of 194 ps.

with the present spectrum after CVBG (see 3rd plot), if the pulse was Fourier Transform limited (no stretched), the product of the FWHM (BW x duration) should be 0.315 (for sech² pulses).
FWHM BW wavelength ~ 1.1nm => FWHM BW ~ 311GHz => FWHM Tau ~ 0.315/311GHz ~ 1 ps
with 136 ps of FWHM duration, one can consider the CVBG has properly streched the pulse.

today, temperature of the chiller has been set to 23°C.

measured temperature in the chiller reaches 23°C after approximatively 10 minutes

The chiller of CELIA amplifier has been moved from the corridor to the changing room in front of PLIC. 

It was not functionning well (quick drop of flow below 0.9l/min). After several cleanings of the filter, shorting the water circuit a stable 2.1l/min flow was obtained. Then the water circuit was elongated to go close to the amplifier but not into it. Allowing to get about 1.3l/min stable. Now the amplifier is conencted, the filter has been cleaned again twice and the flow seem stable with 1.4l/min. New filters have been ordered and must arrive quickly. Changing it is necessary I think. 

The software to control the CELIA amplifier is on the laptop that was placed in ThomX bunker.

I have placed it in the PLIC room next to the SBox table.

it is called 'Alphanov Control Software'

Before injecting into the amplifier, the pulse needs to be stretched using a CVBG, type attached.

the CVBG is to be used at a small angle, the beam shape and spectrum after the PBS is attached.

After measuring the beam profile, a mirror was placed to direct all the power for fiber injection

power before the fiber is 13 mW and the power injected is 6.19 mW

The current setup of the optical table attached.

The cavity is aligned and the lock of the fundamental mode has been attempted, but the mode is drifting too quickly to be able to follow.

I have placed the cavity under vacuum for a better stability.

a simple telescope for the CW was adjusted to having 2 lenses of 300 mm placed ~ 250 mm away from the colimator and 200 mm lens placed after it with 510 mm.

The D-shaped mirrors are installed properly and not cutting the path of the beam.

The cavity has been aligned again and 00 modes beating observed, and external reference points has been placed.

Amplifier placed next to the pulsed laser on the table under the airflow

The output is in free space with height from the table of about 10 cm, note the injection height into the cavity is between 14 - 15 cm.

a power cable is placed but not plugged.

Connection to the computer is made using USB B on amplifier to USB A  (note need a longer cable, the available on is too short)

The cooling, to be connected to an outside chiller, will use the bottom one shown in the image attached.

The two water tubes, from chiller to amplifier,  has been marked. The size of the tubes from the amplifier fit inside the tubes from the chiller.

The amplifier was installed on the optical table next to SBox table.

The CVBG that will be used for stretching before amplification needs cleaning (they are very fragile, 'ask victor for best method')

The software to drive the diodes of the amplifier we have is not the compatible one.

To prepare for the amplifier. I installed the D-shapped mirrors after cleaning (using aceton and ethanol) between the cavity 2 mirrors.

Before closing, I observed the back reflection from M1 (injection mirror). both the injection and reflection lines were off, due to that there was an internal reflection hitting the walls of the cavity.

I tried to correct it by slightly adjusting on M1 without losing the mode, but unfortunately we lost it. 

Tried to go back to the original position using the reflection iris reference, with no success.

Cavity axis is lost, and we need to align again.

a Finesse of 30k with the present mirrors :

T1=120 ppm ;A1=(2.6+1) ppm;
T2=1.5 ppm ;A2=(4.5+0.27) ppm;

corresponds to 39 ppm of additional losses for each mirror and a theoretical gain of about 11k.

Yesterday evening the cavity was Vacuum pumped up to pressure of 5.5*10^-2 and locked 

changed FSR to be 216.662 MHz and alignment a little and measured the Finesse

in Vacuum we have average Finesse = 30341.6265

FWHM (KHz) = 7.0592
Finesse = 30692.1961

FWHM (KHz) = 7.2186
Finesse = 30014.556

FWHM (KHz) = 7.1051
Finesse = 30493.7635

FWHM (KHz) = 7.1079
Finesse = 30481.9812

FWHM (KHz) = 7.1413
Finesse = 30339.2695

FWHM (KHz) = 7.1624
Finesse = 30249.776

FWHM (KHz) = 7.0239
Finesse = 30846.2719

FWHM (KHz) = 7.2614
Finesse = 29837.6477

FWHM (KHz) = 7.1935
Finesse = 30119.1768

The FSR of the 2 mirror (plan-spherical) Cavity was adjusted from 210 MHz to reach 216.643 MHz

it was done by having two reference irises, one at the injection point and one at the reflection 

then changing the position of injection plan mirror to slightly closer distance and monitoring the reflection on the oscilloscope to be max.

The cavity modes were still seen, and we had to only improve the injection alignment after.

Me and Ronic locked in air and measured the Finesse, which was bigger by ~ 20%

average Finesse = 30208.53614

FWHM (KHz) = 7.0179
Finesse = 30869.9522

FWHM (KHz) = 7.1257
Finesse = 30403.005

FWHM (KHz) = 7.1287
Finesse = 30390.4014

FWHM (KHz) = 7.2884
Finesse = 29724.5531

FWHM (KHz) = 7.3055
Finesse = 29654.769

Update for Finesse measurement, The cavity was put under vacuum ~ 1.1*10^-1 mbar

and the alignment and coupling improved.

FSR = 210.1 MHz

Average Finesse = 25686.46222

 FWHM (KHz) = 8.2387
Finesse = 25501.5659

FWHM (KHz) = 8.2028
Finesse = 25613.2858

FWHM (KHz) = 8.0978
Finesse = 25945.3289

FWHM (KHz) = 8.1744
Finesse = 25702.3142

FWHM (KHz) = 8.1847
Finesse = 25669.8163

Concluded from Ronic's calculations, this could be the maximum finesse we might be able to obtain with this setup

with Gain ~ 8000

On Monday we adjust the frequency to match 2160.66 MHz and lock the Pulsed,

at the same time start we start with the CELIA amplifier.

The cavity was realigned using irises instead of pinholes, gave a better alignment.

The inside of the box, the spherical and the injection mirror were cleaned and placed back inside the box.

we see beating of fundamental mode, previously at the transmission point we placed a wedge to split the beam which resulted in an elliptical mode

we removed it and placed a very thin beam splitter, the beam is circular now.

The cavity was locked in air at a coupling of ~ 60-70 %

Finesse and line width measured five readings with a Finesse average 25095.08884  of a Gain ~ 8000

FWHM (KHz) = 8.2928
Finesse = 25323.0544

FWHM (KHz) = 7.9202
Finesse = 26514.4395

FWHM (KHz) = 8.5834
Finesse = 24465.8636

FWHM (KHz) = 8.4571
Finesse = 24831.2419

FWHM (KHz) = 8.6275
Finesse = 24340.8448

Theoretical and expected Finesse for the 2 mirror setup with the losses is calculated by Ronic for comparison between four and 2 mirror setup.

Mirror images in the previous log showing the metal deposit of the coating of the spherical mirrors

(not sent by mail due to large size of images)

Under the microscope,

the spherical mirrors show the deposit of metal dots on the reflecting surface and not on the back of the mirrors

The mirror with fewer spots near the center was used in the setup.

The SBox cavity setup was changed to have only 2 mirrors M1 plane and M2 spherical, both from ThomX

Distance between the mirror ~ 72 cm , increased from 70 cm to take into account the thickness of the ThomX mirrors

Two lenses (300 mm @ 50 cm , 200 @ 104 cm) were placed to have the beam radius ~ 0.55 mm.

The cavity was locked with a coupling of 60 %, for Finesse measurement the sweep was taken over 100 KHz of 2 seconds.

FSR ~ 210.00 MHz, line width ~ 8.56 KHz, Finesse ~ 24 500 .