Optics

Physics

Pulse compression

Composite material

Power (physics)

Compression (physics)

Materials science

Self-phase modulation

Computer science

Laser

Picosecond

Radar

Quantum mechanics

Telecommunications

Nonlinear optics

Optics Letters

In this work, we demonstrate postcompression of 1.2 ps laser pulses to 13 fs via gas-based multipass spectral broadening. Our results yield a single-stage compression factor of about 40 at 200 W in-burst average power and a total compression factor >90 at reduced power. The employed scheme represents a route toward compact few-cycle sources driven by industrial-grade Yb:YAG lasers at high average power.

Postcompression of picosecond pulses into the few-cycle regime