Chirped pulses sum frequency generation for deep-UV picosecond pulse shaping

Abstract

We show by experiments and simulations that properly chirped laser pulses enable efficient and broadband sum frequency generation in nonlinear crystals. We achieved high energy, picosecond deep-UV pulses with spectral width one order of magnitude greater than the acceptance bandwidth of the nonlinear interaction. The broad spectrum supports shaping of ps flat-top deep-UV pulses with short rise- and fall-time, which are optimal for driving high brightness photocathode electron guns.