Chirped Bragg gratings (CBGs) recorded in photo-thermo-refractive (PTR) glass provide a very efficient and robust way to stretch and compress ultra-short laser pulses. These gratings offer the ability to stretch pulses from hundreds of femtoseconds, to the order of 1 ns and then recompress them. However, in order to achieve pulse stretching of this magnitude, 100 mm thick CBGs are needed. Using these CBGs to both stretch, and re-compress the pulse thus requires propagation through 200 mm of optical glass. This therefore demands perfect control of the glass homogeneity, as well as the holographic recording process of the CBG. In this thesis, we present a study of the CBG parameters that lead to distortions in the quality of diffracted beams. We first present the challenges associated with measuring the quality of these beams and we show that such measurements are not easily achieved using commercial systems that rely on the ISO standard M2 method. Thus, we introduce a new metric of beam quality, which we have coined S2 , that is a combination of both the M2 and power in the bucket metrics. Subsequently, we investigate the influence of the CBG parameters on the quality of diffracted beams. In particular, we examine the impact of small optical heterogeneities known as striae, as well as the impact of the optically and thermally induced distortions in the grating. We then use this data to improve the fabrication and characterization of 100 mm long CBGs. Finally, we characterize the performance of CBGs recorded in PTR for stretching and compression of femtosecond pulses using a custom autocorrelation system. We present data on high quality 100 mm long CBGs and an analysis on the correlation between beam quality and the final pulse duration after stretching and re-compressing the pulse.

In this thesis, advanced spectroscopy methods are discussed and applied to gain understanding of the physical properties of organic conjugated molecules, II-VI thin film semiconductors, and vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSEL). Experiments include single photon and two-photon excitation with lasers, with subsequent measurements of the absorption and photoluminescence, as well as photocurrent measurements using tungsten and xenon lamps, measuring the direct current and the alternating current of the devices. The materials are investigated in dissolved form (conjugated polymers), thin films (polymers, II-VI semiconductors), and complex layer structures (hybrid device, VCSEL). The experiments are analyzed and interpreted by newly developed or applied theories for two-photon saturation processes in semiconductors, bandgap shrinkage due to optically induced electron hole pairs, and the principle of detailed balance to describe the photoluminescence in thin film cadmium sulfide. / Ph. D.

Photo-thermo-refractive (PTR) glass is an ideal photosensitive material for recording phase volume holograms. It is a homogeneous multi-component silicate glass that demonstrates all the advantages of optical glass: thermal stability, high laser damage threshold, and a wide transparency range. Moreover the ability to record phase patterns (i.e. spatial refractive index variations) into PTR glass has resulted in the fabrication of volume holograms with diffraction efficiency greater than 99%. The conventional method of recording a hologram in PTR glass relies on exposure to continuous-wave ultraviolet laser radiation. In this dissertation the interaction between infrared ultrashort laser pulses and PTR glass is studied. It is shown that photosensitivity in PTR glass can be extended from the UV region to longer wavelengths (near-infrared) by exposure to ultrashort laser pulses. It is found that there exists a focusing geometry and laser pulse intensity interval for which photoionization and refractive index change in PTR glass after thermal development occur without laser-induced optical damage. Photoionization of PTR glass by IR ultrashort laser pulses is explained in terms of strong electric field ionization. This phenomenon is used to fabricate phase optical elements in PTR glass. The interaction between ultrashort laser pulses and volume holograms in PTR glass is studied in two laser intensity regimes. At intensities below ~10^12 W/cm^2 properties such as diffraction efficiency, angular divergence, selectivity, and pulse front tilt are shown to agree with the theory of linear diffraction for broad spectral width lasers. A volume grating pair arrangement is shown to correct the laser pulse distortions arising from pulse front tilt and angular divergence. At higher intensities of irradiation, nonlinear generation and diffraction of third harmonic is observed for three types of interactions: sum-frequency generation, front-surface THG generation, and THG due to phase-matching with a grating formed by modulation of the nonlinear refractive index of PTR glass.

Neste trabalho foram realizadas otimizações no processo de fabricação de micro cavidades na superfície do aço DIN 16MnCr5, com o objetivo de reduzir o coeficiente de atrito dinâmico entre duas superfícies. Para a confecção das micro cavidades (dimples) foi utilizado um laser com pulsos ultracurtos, de largura temporal de algumas dezenas de femtossegundos. Além de estudos de variação de fluência do laser, também foi analisado o resultado da utilização de diferentes perfis de energia do feixe. Para a caracterização das micro cavidades, foram utilizadas técnicas como a microscopia eletrônica de varredura, para análise morfológica, interferometria de luz branca e microscopia confocal para análise topográfica, dimensional e perfilométrica. Foram realizados ensaios de desgaste, em tribômetro para análise da variação do coeficiente de atrito após a texturização. Após os ensaios, percebeu-se que a texturização com pulsos ultracurtos apresenta grande vantagem na confecção de micro cavidades devido a precisão e ausência de interação térmica entre o laser e o material. Em relação ao atrito, as amostras texturizadas apresentaram redução da força e do coeficiente de atrito, porém, foram observados sinais de aumento da pressão de contato entre as superfícies. / In this work, optimizations were realized in the dimples manufacturing process on DIN 16MnCr5 steel surface, the target were to reduce the coefficient of dynamic friction between two surfaces. A laser with ultrashort pulses, temporal width of a few tens of femtoseconds, was used to manufacture dimples. In addition to studies of variation of laser beam fluency, the results of the use of different beam energy profiles were also analyzed. For analysis of dimples, techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), for morphological analysis, white light interferometry and confocal surface microscopy were used for topographic, dimensional and perfilometry. Wear tests were performed to analyze the variation of the friction coefficient in texturing surface. After the tests, it was observed that the texturing with ultrashort pulses presents a great advantage in manufacturing of dimples, due to the precision and absence of thermal interaction between the laser beam and the material. In relation to the friction coefficient, the textured samples presented a reduction of the friction force and consequently of the friction coefficient, but an increase in the contact pressure between the studied surfaces was observed.

Neste trabalho foram realizadas otimizações no processo de fabricação de micro cavidades na superfície do aço DIN 16MnCr5, com o objetivo de reduzir o coeficiente de atrito dinâmico entre duas superfícies. Para a confecção das micro cavidades (dimples) foi utilizado um laser com pulsos ultracurtos, de largura temporal de algumas dezenas de femtossegundos. Além de estudos de variação de fluência do laser, também foi analisado o resultado da utilização de diferentes perfis de energia do feixe. Para a caracterização das micro cavidades, foram utilizadas técnicas como a microscopia eletrônica de varredura, para análise morfológica, interferometria de luz branca e microscopia confocal para análise topográfica, dimensional e perfilométrica. Foram realizados ensaios de desgaste, em tribômetro para análise da variação do coeficiente de atrito após a texturização. Após os ensaios, percebeu-se que a texturização com pulsos ultracurtos apresenta grande vantagem na confecção de micro cavidades devido a precisão e ausência de interação térmica entre o laser e o material. Em relação ao atrito, as amostras texturizadas apresentaram redução da força e do coeficiente de atrito, porém, foram observados sinais de aumento da pressão de contato entre as superfícies. / In this work, optimizations were realized in the dimples manufacturing process on DIN 16MnCr5 steel surface, the target were to reduce the coefficient of dynamic friction between two surfaces. A laser with ultrashort pulses, temporal width of a few tens of femtoseconds, was used to manufacture dimples. In addition to studies of variation of laser beam fluency, the results of the use of different beam energy profiles were also analyzed. For analysis of dimples, techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), for morphological analysis, white light interferometry and confocal surface microscopy were used for topographic, dimensional and perfilometry. Wear tests were performed to analyze the variation of the friction coefficient in texturing surface. After the tests, it was observed that the texturing with ultrashort pulses presents a great advantage in manufacturing of dimples, due to the precision and absence of thermal interaction between the laser beam and the material. In relation to the friction coefficient, the textured samples presented a reduction of the friction force and consequently of the friction coefficient, but an increase in the contact pressure between the studied surfaces was observed.

Die vorliegende Arbeit ist der Verbesserung der Carrier-Envelope Phasenstabilisierung von ultrakurzen Laserimpulsen gewidmet. Zur Realisierung von Fortschritten auf diesem Gebiet werden die grundlegenden Rauschquellen identifiziert, die das erzielbare Restphasenrauschen limitieren, und geeignete Maßnahmen zu deren Verringerung vorgeschlagen. Es wird gezeigt, dass sowohl die Messung der Carrier-Envelope Phase (CEP) als auch deren Kontrolle durch verschiedene Rauschbeiträge beeinträchtigt wird. Der Detektionsprozess ist dabei einerseits durch technische Rauschquellen beeinflusst, die vor allem in den verwendeten nichtlinearen Interferometern auftreten. Andererseits repräsentiert das Detektionsrauschen während der elektro-optischen Wandlung eine fundamentale Limitierung, da das optische Schrotrauschen sowie das Rauschen des Lichtdetektors die Messung der CEP unausweichlich beeinträchtigen. Es wird demonstriert, wie solche Beschränkungen durch geeignete Wahl der Interferometertopologie, bzw. durch Optimierung des spektralen Verbreiterungsmechanismus verringert werden können. Experimentell gelingt es dadurch den Signal-Rauschabstand der Phasenmessung um 20 Dezibel zu steigern. Hinsichtlich der CEP Kontrolle von Oszillatoren wird in dieser Arbeit ein neuartiges Doppelstabilisierungskonzept vorgestellt, welches eine feed-forward Stabilisierung, die auf einem akustooptischen Frequenzschieber beruht, mit einer klassischen Feedback Regelung kombinert. Mit diesem Konzept gelingt eine Reduzierung des Phasenrestrauschen auf beispiellose 20 Milliradian. Darüber hinaus werden weitere neue Stabilisierungskonzepte vorgestellt, die ohne Feedback zu dem Laseroszillator auskommen. Bei einem dieser Konzepte, handelt es sich um eine gepulste feed-forward Stabilisierung, die speziell für das Zusammenwirken mit einer Verstärkerstufe konzipiert ist. Erste experimentelle Ergebnisse zeigen, dass Phasenrestrauschen von weniger als 100 Milliradian auch für Verstärkersysteme erreichbar sind. / The present thesis is dedicated to improvements of the carrier-envelope phase stabilization of ultrashort laser pulses. In order to realize such improvements, the fundamental noise sources are identified, and suitable measures for their reduction are proposed. It is shown that both, the measurement of the carrier-envelope phase (CEP) as well as its control are corrupted by different noise contributions. On the one hand, the detection process is influenced by technical noise sources, which arise especially in the used nonlinear interferometers. On the other hand, the detection noise in the electro-optic conversion represents a fundamental limitation, since the optical shot noise as well as the noise induced by the light detector inevitably influence the measurement of the CEP. It is demonstrated how such limitations can be minimized by a suitable choice of the interferometer topology and by an optimization of the spectral broadening process in a micro-structured fiber. This way an enormous improvement of the signal-to-noise ratio by 20 dB is obtained experimentally, which significantly reduces the limitation of detection noise. For controlling the CEP of mode-locked oscillators, a novel double stabilization scheme is introduced in this thesis, which combines a feed-forward stabilization based on an acousto-optic frequency shifter, with a classical feedback loop. This method enables a reduction of the residual phase jitter to an unprecedented value of 20 milliradian. Beyond that, several further concepts are introduced that are capable of stabilizing the CEP without any feedback to the laser oscillator. One of these concepts, represents a pulsed feed-forward stabilization, which is specifically designed for the use in combination with a subsequent amplification stage. First experimental results indicate that residual phase jitters of less than 100 milliradian are within reach also for amplified laser systems.

The ultrashort chirped pulse amplification (CPA) laser technology opens the path to high intensities of 10^21 W/cm² and above in the laser focus. Such intensities allow laser-matter interaction in the relativistic intensity regime. Direct diode-pumped ultrashort solid-state lasers combine high-energy, high-power and efficient amplification together, which are the main advantages compared to flashlamp-pumped high-energy laser systems based on titanium-doped sapphire. Development within recent years in the field of laser diodes makes them more and more attractive in terms of total costs, compactness and lifetime. This work is dedicated to the Petawatt, ENergy-Efficient Laser for Optical Plasma Experiments (PENELOPE) project, a fully and directly diode-pumped laser system under development at the Helmholtz–Zentrum Dresden – Rossendorf (HZDR), aiming at 150 fs long pulses with energies of up to 150 J at repetition rates of up to 1 Hz. The focus of this thesis lies on the spectral and width manipulation of the front-end amplifiers, trivalent ytterbium-doped calcium fluoride (Yb3+:CaF2) as gain material as well as the pump source for the final two main amplifiers of the PENELOPE laser system. Here, all crucial design parameters were investigated and a further successful scaling of the laser system to its target values was shown. Gain narrowing is the dominant process for spectral bandwidth reduction during the amplification at the high-gain front-end amplifiers. Active or passive spectral gain control filter can be used to counteract this effect. A pulse duration of 121 fs was achieved by using a passive spectral attenuation inside a regenerative amplifier, which corresponds to an improvement by a factor of almost 2 compared to the start of this work. A proof-of-concept experiment showed the capability of the pre-shaping approach. A spectral bandwidth of 20nm was transferred through the first multipass amplifier at a total gain of 300. Finally, the predicted output spectrum calculated by a numerical model of the final amplifier stages was in a good agreement with the experimental results. The spectroscopic properties of Yb3+:CaF2 matches the constraints for ultrashort laser pulse amplification and direct diode pumping. Pumping close to the zero phonon line at 976nm is preferable compared to 940nm as the pump intensity saturation is significantly lower. A broad gain cross section of up to 50nm is achievable for typical inversion levels. Furthermore, moderate cryogenic temperatures (above 200K) can be used to improve the amplification performance of Yb3+:CaF2. The optical quality of the doped crystals currently available on the market is sufficient to build amplifiers in the hundred joule range. The designed pump source for the last two amplifiers is based on two side pumping in a double pass configuration. However, this concept requires the necessity of brightness conservation for the installed laser diodes. Therefore, a fully relay imaging setup (4f optical system) along the optical path from the stacks to the gain material including the global beam homogenization was developed in a novel approach. Beside these major parts the amplifier architecture and relay imaging telescopes as well as temporal intensity contrast (TIC) was investigated. An all reflective concept for the relay imaging amplifiers and telescopes was selected, which results in several advantages especially an achromatic behavior and low B-Integral. The TIC of the front-end was improved, as the pre- and postpulses due to the plane-parallel active-mirror was eliminated by wedging the gain medium.

[ES] La irradiación de nanopartículas de oro (AuNPs) esféricas en una suspensión coloidal con pulsos láser de nanosegundos puede inducir su metamorfosis, dando lugar a la aparición de esferas con cavidades internas. La concentración del surfactante estabilizador de las partículas, el uso de fluencias de láser moderadas y el tamaño de las partículas, determinan la eficiencia y características del proceso. Las partículas huecas resultantes se obtienen cuando las moléculas del medio circundante (ej., agua, materia orgánica del surfactante) quedan atrapadas durante la irradiación láser. Estas observaciones experimentales sugieren la existencia de un balance sutil entre los procesos de calentamiento y enfriamiento. El primero induce la expansión y paso a un estado amorfo y, el segundo, la subsecuente recristalización manteniendo en su interior el material atrapado. Estas observaciones experimentales han sido explicadas satisfactoriamente con las simulaciones de dinámica molecular clásica desarrolladas en el marco de esta tesis. Específicamente, la dinámica molecular confirma que es necesaria la existencia de moléculas en el interior de las cavidades que se forman dentro de las AuNPs para que se produzca su estabilización. En la segunda parte de esta tesis, se detallan las simulaciones de dinámica molecular clásica y los cálculos de propiedades ópticas de la irradiación de nanopartículas esféricas de oro con pulsos láser de femtosegundos, para predecir los cambios de forma que se producen en las mismas, bajo una exploración de los diferentes parámetros involucrados, es decir, la fluencia y duración del láser, el tamaño de las nanopartículas cristalinas esféricas y la capacidad de enfriamiento del medio circundante. El objetivo fundamental de las simulaciones es brindar una guía para la síntesis de nanopartículas con morfologías determinadas. Los resultados de las simulaciones indican que, para la formación de nanopartículas huecas, las mismas deben ser calentadas hasta una temperatura entre 2500 y 3500 K, seguido por un enfriamiento exponencial rápido, con una constante de tiempo menor de 120 ps. Por lo tanto, se describen las condiciones experimentales para la producción eficiente de nanopartículas huecas, lo que abre un amplio rango de posibilidades de aplicación en áreas fundamentales, tales como el almacenamiento de energía y la catálisis. En la última parte de esta memoria se exponen las simulaciones de dinámica molecular clásica implementadas para profundizar en los experimentos pumpprobe con nanoesferas plasmónicas de oro, desarrollados en la referencia [R.Fuentes-Domínguez et al. Appl. Sci. 2017, 7(8), 819.]. Tras la irradiación láser y consecuente deposición de energía, las partículas vibran, lo que se puede medir mediante la fuerte modulación producida en la sección eficaz de dispersión. La vibración mecánica de las AuNPs esféricas, tras ser irradiadas con láseres ultracortos, las convierte en generadores termoelásticos eficientes de ultrasonido y, por tanto, en excelentes candidatos para transductores luz-sonido en diversas aplicaciones. / [CA] La irradiació de nanopartícules d'or (AuNPs) esfèriques en una suspensiócolloidal amb polsos làser de nanosegons pot induir la seua metamorfosi, donant lloc a l'aparició d'esferes amb cavitats internes. La concentració del surfactante estabilitzador de les partícules, l'ús de fluencias de làser moderades i la grandària de les partícules, determinen l'eficiència i característiques del procés. Les partícules buides resultants s'obtenen quan les molècules del mitjà circumdant (ex., aigua, matèria orgànica del surfactante) queden atrapades durant la irradiació làser. Aquestes observacions experimentals suggereixen l'existència d'un balanç subtil entre els processos de calfament i refredament. El primer indueix l'expansió i passe a un estat amorf i, el segon, la subseqüent recristalización mantenint en el seu interior el material atrapat. Aquestes observacions experimentals han sigut explicades satisfactòriament amb les simulacions de dinàmica molecular clàssica desenvolupades en el marc d'aquesta tesi. Específicament, la dinàmica molecular confirma que és necessària l'existència de molècules a l'interior de les cavitats que es formen dins de les AuNPs perquè es produïsca la seua estabilització. En la segona part d'aquesta tesi, es detallen les simulacions de dinàmica molecular clàssica i els càlculs de propietats òptiques de la irradiació de nanopartícules esfèriques d'or amb polsos làser de femtosegundos, per a predir els canvis de manera que es produeixen en aquestes, sota una exploració dels diferents paràmetres involucrats, és a dir, la fluencia i duració del làser, la grandària de les nanopartícules cristal·lines esfèriques i la capacitat de refredament del mitjà circumdant. L'objectiu fonamental de les simulacions és brindar una guia per a la síntesi de nanopartícules amb morfologies determinades. Els resultats de les simulacions indiquen que, per a la formació de nanopartícules buides, les mateixes han de ser calfades fins a una temperatura entre 2500 i 3500 K, seguit per un refredament exponencial ràpid, amb una constant de temps menor de 120 pg. Per tant, es descriuen les condicions experimentals per a la producció eficient de nanopartícules buides, la qual cosa obri un ampli rang de possibilitats d'aplicació en àrees fonamentals, tals com l'emmagatzematge d'energia i la catàlisi. En l'última part d'aquesta memòria s'exposen les simulacions de dinàmica molecular clàssica implementades per a aprofundir en els experiments pumpprobe amb nanoesferas plasmónicas d'or, desenvolupats en la referència [R. Fuentes-Domínguez et al. Appl. Sci. 2017, 7(8), 819.]. Després de la irradiació làser i conseqüent deposició d'energia, les partícules vibren, la qual cosa es pot mesurar mitjançant la forta modulació produïda en la secció eficaç de dispersió. La vibració mecànica de les AuNPs esfèriques, després de ser irradiades amb làsers ultracortos, les converteix en generadors termoelásticos eficients d'ultrasò i, per tant, en excel·lents candidats per a transductors llum-so en diverses aplicacions. / [EN] The irradiation of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in a colloid with nanosecond laser pulses can give rise to the formation of cavities. The concentration of the surfactant used to stabilize the particles, the laser fluency, and the size of the nanoparticles, determine the efficiency and features of the process. The resulting hollow particles are obtained when the right balance between the heating and cooling processes is given. The first process induces an expansion and the melting of the particle, while the second, leads to the recrystallization, keeping the extraneous matter trapped in the inside. These experimental observations have been satisfactorily explained by the molecular dynamics simulations carried out in this thesis. Specifically, the simulations have confirmed that it is necessary the existence of trapped molecules in the inside of the cavities to stabilize the cavities. In the second part of this thesis, the molecular dynamics simulations and calculation of optical properties when gold nanoparticles (in a colloid) are irradiated with femtosecond laser pulses. The simulations allowed to predict the the shape changes under different conditions for the laser fluency and duration, the size of the nanoparticles and the cooling rate, which is driven by the properties of the solvent and the surfactant. These simulations provide a guidance for the synthesis of nanoparticles with specific morphological features. The results show that the nanospheres should be heated up to 2500 y 3500 K, followed by a fast cooling (time constant of 120 ps). Therefore, the experimental conditions for the efficient production of hollow nanoparticles are described what opens a broad range of possibilities for applications in areas such as energy storage and catalysis. MD simulations are carried out in the last part of this thesis to gain insights into the pump-probe experiments using AuNPs in reference [R. Fuentes-Domínguez et al. Appl. Sci. 2017, 7(8), 819.]. Upon femtosecond laser irradiation and deposition of energy, the nanospheres vibrate which can be measured by means of the scattering cross section. This fact becomes the AuNPs in ideal thermoelastic ultrasound generators and therefore in excellent candidates for light-sound transducers in different applications. / Castro Palacio, JC. (2021). Modelación físico-matemática y simulaciones computacionales para guiar el diseño y fabricación de nanoestructuras plasmónicas optimizadas para aplicaciones energéticas [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/175557 / TESIS

The ultrashort chirped pulse amplification (CPA) laser technology opens the path to high intensities of 10^21 W/cm² and above in the laser focus. Such intensities allow laser-matter interaction in the relativistic intensity regime. Direct diode-pumped ultrashort solid-state lasers combine high-energy, high-power and efficient amplification together, which are the main advantages compared to flashlamp-pumped high-energy laser systems based on titanium-doped sapphire. Development within recent years in the field of laser diodes makes them more and more attractive in terms of total costs, compactness and lifetime. This work is dedicated to the Petawatt, ENergy-Efficient Laser for Optical Plasma Experiments (PENELOPE) project, a fully and directly diode-pumped laser system under development at the Helmholtz–Zentrum Dresden – Rossendorf (HZDR), aiming at 150 fs long pulses with energies of up to 150 J at repetition rates of up to 1 Hz. The focus of this thesis lies on the spectral and width manipulation of the front-end amplifiers, trivalent ytterbium-doped calcium fluoride (Yb3+:CaF2) as gain material as well as the pump source for the final two main amplifiers of the PENELOPE laser system. Here, all crucial design parameters were investigated and a further successful scaling of the laser system to its target values was shown. Gain narrowing is the dominant process for spectral bandwidth reduction during the amplification at the high-gain front-end amplifiers. Active or passive spectral gain control filter can be used to counteract this effect. A pulse duration of 121 fs was achieved by using a passive spectral attenuation inside a regenerative amplifier, which corresponds to an improvement by a factor of almost 2 compared to the start of this work. A proof-of-concept experiment showed the capability of the pre-shaping approach. A spectral bandwidth of 20nm was transferred through the first multipass amplifier at a total gain of 300. Finally, the predicted output spectrum calculated by a numerical model of the final amplifier stages was in a good agreement with the experimental results. The spectroscopic properties of Yb3+:CaF2 matches the constraints for ultrashort laser pulse amplification and direct diode pumping. Pumping close to the zero phonon line at 976nm is preferable compared to 940nm as the pump intensity saturation is significantly lower. A broad gain cross section of up to 50nm is achievable for typical inversion levels. Furthermore, moderate cryogenic temperatures (above 200K) can be used to improve the amplification performance of Yb3+:CaF2. The optical quality of the doped crystals currently available on the market is sufficient to build amplifiers in the hundred joule range. The designed pump source for the last two amplifiers is based on two side pumping in a double pass configuration. However, this concept requires the necessity of brightness conservation for the installed laser diodes. Therefore, a fully relay imaging setup (4f optical system) along the optical path from the stacks to the gain material including the global beam homogenization was developed in a novel approach. Beside these major parts the amplifier architecture and relay imaging telescopes as well as temporal intensity contrast (TIC) was investigated. An all reflective concept for the relay imaging amplifiers and telescopes was selected, which results in several advantages especially an achromatic behavior and low B-Integral. The TIC of the front-end was improved, as the pre- and postpulses due to the plane-parallel active-mirror was eliminated by wedging the gain medium.

In dieser Arbeit werden Ergebnisse der Untersuchungen zur Laserstrukturierung von Prägewerkezeugen sowie zur Abformung von Gitterstrukturen mit Gitterperioden von kleiner gleich 2 µm in verschiedene Folien und Werkstoffverbunde präsentiert und diskutiert. Die hierfür entwickelte Kombination von Laserprozessen wird erläutert. Des Weiteren sind die auf Basis der experimentellen Untersuchungen ermittelten Parameterräume aufgezeigt und in Bezug zu theoretischen Beschreibungsmodellen gesetzt. Limitationen und Potentiale der einzelnen Teilprozesse werden dargelegt. Unter Anwendung der beschriebenen Strukturierungs- und Prozessparameter ist die Erstellung funktional einsetzbarer Prägewerkzeuge möglich. Für die Strukturübertragung konnte die Abformbarkeit der in die Oberflächen der Prägewerkzeuge eingebrachten beugungsoptisch wirksamen Gitterstrukturen mit Gitterperioden von kleiner gleich 2 µm bei Kontaktzeiten im Millisekundenbereich nachgewiesen werden.