High-peak power laser systems are defined along with a brief introduction of the technology used in their development and application to the project. A review of concepts surrounding optical pulses, focusing on the particular phenomena involved with the ultrafast, follows. Numerical models involving optical pulses are introduced and verified. An extensive description of the laser system is presented, including models used in its design. Data verifying the correct operation of the laser system is presented and interpreted. A dispersion compensation system, including a function model, is introduced, and its application to the laser system is analyzed. An introduction to pulse characterization techniques is presented followed by the design and verification of two different characterization devices. Experiments utlizing the dispersion compensation system and pulse characterization devices are presented and the results are interpreted. Conclusions are made regarding the performance of the laser system models and pulse characterization devices, along with suggested improvements for each. The results of the experiments are discussed including suggestions for future work.

High-peak power laser systems are defined along with a brief introduction of the technology used in their development and application to the project. A review of concepts surrounding optical pulses, focusing on the particular phenomena involved with the ultrafast, follows. Numerical models involving optical pulses are introduced and verified. An extensive description of the laser system is presented, including models used in its design. Data verifying the correct operation of the laser system is presented and interpreted. A dispersion compensation system, including a function model, is introduced, and its application to the laser system is analyzed. An introduction to pulse characterization techniques is presented followed by the design and verification of two different characterization devices. Experiments utlizing the dispersion compensation system and pulse characterization devices are presented and the results are interpreted. Conclusions are made regarding the performance of the laser system models and pulse characterization devices, along with suggested improvements for each. The results of the experiments are discussed including suggestions for future work.