Chirped multilayer coatings for broadband dispersion control in femtosecond lasers

Abstract

Optical thin-film structures exhibiting high reflectivity and a nearly constant negative group-delay dispersion over frequency ranges as broad as 80 THz are presented. This attractive combination makes these coatings well suited for intracavity dispersion control in broadband femtosecond solid-state lasers. We address design issues and the principle of operation of these novel devices.